Generally I do not recommend any apps, but there is one app that I believe should be on every phone in Australia: the Emergency+ app.

“It is a free application developed by Australia’s emergency services and industry partners. It works across Australia, using GPS functionality built into smartphones to help a Triple Zero (000) caller provide critical location details required to mobilise emergency services.

​​Important – if there is no mobile coverage on any network, you will not be able to reach the Emergency Call Service via a mobile telephone​​.”

The app makes it easy to call ‘000’, the SES (132 500) or the Police(131 444), with large buttons prominently displayed. It also shows your location by address, by latitude and longitude, by map and by what3words – all on the one page (and you can increase the character size in the app settings).

On an second page there are other useful numbers like Crime Stoppers (1800 333 000), Health Direct (1800 022 222), Poisons Information Centre (131 126) and more. There are also videos showing how to administer CPR on adults, children and infants. And it includes a link to the various states’ fire alert websites.

The Emergency+ app is available for free download via the Apple AppStore (for iPhones) and the Google PlayStore (for Android phones like Samsung, Motorola, Nokia etc)

If you don’t have this on your phone already, go download it now – you never know when you might need it.

Once the app is installed on your phone, open it and allow location access. This permission is required for the app to display your location in an emergency. Explore the features and understand how to use the app in an emergency situation.

I hope you will never need it, but is is good to have when you do.

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