Emergency
Ambulance, Fire Brigade and Police: Dial 000
Residential Safety
While Australia is a relatively safe place to live, reasonable care should be taken to observe safe practices at home. Doors and windows need to be secured against burglary and intrusion when there is no one at home.
Some residences have security alarms that can be ‘back to base’ monitored by a security company.
For non emergency police assistance, dial 131 444.
The State Emergency Service (SES) is a volunteer based organisation providing assistance to local communities during major incidents and emergencies such as extreme weather events, storms and floods, road crash rescues and missing persons. The various states and territories operate their own SES organisations. For assistance dial 132 500.
Sun Smart
It is important to be aware that the UV from the sun is very strong in Australia. There is a very high incidence of skin cancer amongst Australians.
The Sun Smart program advises use of a sunscreen with a high protection factor (SPF 50+) and, where possible, to wear a broad brim hat and shirt with collar and sleeves. Sunglasses are also highly recommended to protect your eyes from harm.
Water Safety
Care should be taken when swimming along Australia’s coastline (although the inner bay beaches are usually safe). It is advisable to swim at patrolled beaches and then only between the red and yellow flags where lifesavers and lifeguards patrol the beaches. The flags mark the safest place to swim, free of rips and currents.
