A Woman Turns Tragedy Into a Life-Saving Safety Product

A sister turned her personal tragedy into a potentially life-saving emergency safety product designed to protect children when every second counts. Simple yet important, the Roth ID Tag is an adhesive label designed to stay attached to the fabric of a child’s car seat.

If a child needs to be rushed to the hospital after an accident, the tag’s tear-off tab can be removed and used as a hospital bracelet. It contains vital medical information and emergency contact details, helping first responders quickly identify the child and understand their needs. “We’re really excited about this new sticker that the Office of Community Health and the Office of Highway Safety and Planning,” ,” Hoekstra said,” because we know it’s doing amazing things for our first responders.”

A Family Tragedy Inspires a Safety Innovation for Children

Thank you, 2024🤍 https://t.co/ZnCVDIMelX

— ROTHIDTAG (@rothidtag) December 31, 2024

The Roth ID Tag was created by the sister of Julie Roth, who died in a 47-car pileup on the Ohio Turnpike on December 23, 2022. Amid one of the worst winter storms of the year, Julie lost her life, but her two children, Ayla and Rory, survived while secured in their car seats.

As first responders searched through the wreckage and rescued injured passengers, they found Julie’s young children. With their mother unresponsive and emergency crews making triage decisions amid widespread chaos, the children’s identities remained unknown.

They were transported to the hospital alongside other survivors. But another challenge emerged: Who were these two frightened children? What were their names? What were their blood types? Did they have any allergies, including a latex allergy?

Hours passed before the children were examined and their identities confirmed. Only then was their father finally contacted, allowing the children to reunite with a familiar face during an overwhelming time of confusion and grief.

Safety is Priority

La seguridad de los niños es una prioridad. Now, a newly designed safety label is helping police officers and paramedics identify children and understand their needs when responding to a car crash.

“Rather than us guessing what their medical issues are or who to contact – who can fill us in – we know right off the bat who we can talk to and who we need to deal with right there”, says Michigan State Police Trooper Martin Miller.

Miller explains that knowing a child’s name and nickname can first responders build trust right away, especially during a frightening emergency. By understanding a child’s individual needs, responders can provide more appropriate care.

The idea behind these stickers is not new. The previous version was similar, but the updated design includes a privacy shield to protect sensitive information. Designers also removed the line for the child’s home address.

The stickers provide immediate access to important information about a child passenger, particularly if a parent or caregiver is injured and unable to communicate. The label includes the child’s name, nickname, age, date of birth, blood type, allergies, and medication needs.

For families, the message is simple: La seguridad de los niños es una prioridad – children’s safety is a priority. A small sticker can provide critical information when it matters most.

Stickers are available free on the State of Michigan’s website and at local police stations. You can also call Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital’s Injury Prevention Program at 616-391-7233.

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