Chifley District Police have encouraged residents to stay connected over the holiday season, with free Next of Kin forms available to help first responders contact the right people in an emergency.
The Next of Kin program was established by New South Wales Police to help people living alone be connected with the right person in an emergency. By filling out and submitting a Next of Kin form, police, ambulance and emergency services are able to contact the right person during an incident or an emergency.
During the holiday period, families may travel, leaving family members or friends home alone for extended periods. This can make it harder for carers, friends or family to check in on indidivduals living alone on a regular basis. With heatwave alerts already being issued as early as November, the added risk of summer heat can be incredibly dangerous, when individuals may be at higher risk of heat-related illnesses such as dehydration or heatstroke.
By filling out the Next of Kin form at the Cowra Police Station, residents who are elderly or living alone can ensure that there is always a way to contact someone in case of an emergency.
The free service aims to reduce the isolation experienced by elderly residents or people living alone, which can be exacerbated when weather conditions mean people stay inside for longer.
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Interested residents can register, contact at the local police station and ask to speak with the Crime Prevention Officer about the Next of Kin Program, or complete the Next of Kin Program form on their home computer, and email to crimeprev@police.nsw.gov.au.
