New York State Sheriff Association’s Yellow Dot Program: A Life Saver for People with Special Medical Conditions

The New York State Sheriff’s Association has established a Yellow Dot Program that can save lives in an emergency.  Yellow Dot is a free program that helps first responders provide life-saving medical attention to people with special medical needs during the first “golden hour” after a crash or other emergency. A Yellow Dot in the driver's-side rear window of your vehicle or on or next to the front door at home alerts first responders that a person needs special medical attention and vital medical information can be found nearby. The Schlitt Law Firm is urging all New Yorkers to consider using this program.

How the Program Works

The New York State Sheriff’s Association describes the program this way: The Yellow Dot kit contains a personal information card and a Yellow Dot decal. Here are the instructions for use in a motor vehicle: 

1. Complete both sides of the personal information card as fully as possible, in pencil. Attach a recent photo of yourself and place it in a visible location in your car’s glove compartment.
2. Complete one card for each person who regularly occupies the vehicle. See below to request additional medical information forms.
3. Place the Yellow Dot decal on the rear driver’s side window to alert first responders to look in the glove compartment for your medical information.
4. Update the card annually yourself or bring it to your annual medical check-up. If you sell your car, remove the Yellow Dot sticker.

Here are the instructions the Association provides for use at home:

A Yellow Dot kit can also be used to alert those who respond to an emergency in your home. Simply place a Yellow Dot decal on or beside your front door and place a completed card for each occupant in a clear plastic freezer bag and place in a visible location in the freezer compartment of your refrigerator.

How to Obtain a Yellow Dot Kit

The New York State Sheriff’s Association provides the Yellow Dot Kit for free. To obtain your free Yellow Dot kit, go to the Yellow Dot Program web site (click here) and fill out the online form. Once they receive your form, the Sheriff’s Association will mail you your free kit.

We think the Yellow Dot Program is a great initiative and can save lives. We hope this information helps and that all New Yorkers with special medical needs will take advantage of this initiative.

The Schlitt Law Firm is an intentionally small, mission-driven plaintiffs-only law firm focused on personal injury and medical malpractice cases serving the New York metropolitan area. We commit ourselves to education, communication and responsiveness and vow to deliver remarkable service and outstanding outcomes. 

The Schlitt Law Firm
A New York Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice Law Firm
1-800-660-1466
Contact@SchlittLaw.com