Starting this week, anyone who might need one can get a Killarney Lions Club ‘Message in a Bottle’, free of charge, at their local pharmacy.

The ‘bottle’ is a small plastic container with an information form which people can fill out with their basic medical details for use by Paramedics, Gardaí, Fire-fighters, and first responders in cases of emergency.

The initiative, which launched last November, is aimed at helping older people, people living alone and people with medical conditions to quickly receive the care they need in an emergency situation.

Once the information form is complete, they can put it in the fridge with a list of medications, and put self-adhesive green cross labels near the front door of their home and on the door of the fridge. In the event of an accident or incident within the home, the first responder/emergency services on the scene will be alerted to the bottle when they see the labels.

"We are absolutely delighted that all our local pharmacies are now on board with this initiative, because it makes it easy for people to get one of the bottles," said Denis Doolan, President of Killarney Lions Club. “We would encourage anyone who thinks it might help them to visit their pharmacy, get a bottle and fill out the information form. If it helps even just one person to get the help they need more quickly and effectively, it is well worth it."

The pharmacies taking part are: Allcare (New St.), Boots (Deerpark), CarePlus+ (Park Rd.), Kennelly’s (Reeks and New St.), Reens Life (Plunkett St.), O'Sullivan's (New St.), Sewell’s (New St.), Sheahan’s (Main St.) and Trants (Park Rd.).