With most people glued to their mobile phones, now is the time to know what apps will keep you safe this silly season.
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From knowing where the rips at the beach are to understanding the fire dangers in the areas you will be travelling in, there is no excuse not to be prepared this summer.
From apps to social media, these days all emergency services and news outlets are publishing on a range of platforms designed to spread messages far and wide and we have compiled a list of the best apps to download and social media accounts to follow.
Ocean safety
Surf lifesaving
App: ‘Beachsafe’ is a federal government app which can be used to determine whether a beach is safe to swim at, with helpful tips like patrolling times, rip conditions and other hazards along with tide warnings and facilities avaliable at the beach including park availability and toilets.
All you need to do is search the beach you want and see what information you can find.
Along with app, Surf lifesaving NSW, Surf lifesaving MNC and Port Macquarie lifeguards all have their own twitter accounts keeping people up to date on changing conditions and important information.
James Turnham, senior Port Macquarie lifeguard said that the app has a range of vital information.
“Port Macquarie has six patrolled beaches seven days a week during the holiday period but using the app can help people know where the safest places are to swim along with other vital information including patrol times, tides and other safety features relevant to specific beaches,” Mr Turnham said.
Twitter: @slsnsw, @slsmnc, @lifesaverhelo, @lifegurardsPMQ
Facebook: Surf Life Saving NSW
Shark spotting
Know if the ocean you are swimming in has sharks nearby, by checking out the Sharksmart app. This app is connected is monitors in the water all over Australia which keep track of sharks when they swim past all in the name of scientific research.
While the tracking of sharks is for research it is a handy app to have to know if any sharks have been seen in the area you are going to be swimming in, and you can get alerts on your phone which is handy.
App: Sharksmart
Twitter: @NSWsharksmart
Facebook: Dorsal Shark Reports Australia
Marine Rescue
Greg Davies the Port Macquarie unit commander said that people can make use of the Marine Rescue app to log their trips but says boat goers must remember to keep their phones turned on while out on the water.
“We would strongly encourage people to log their boating trip, no matter how small with us via either the app or via radio on channel 16.
“The app is great, you follow the promps adding in information including passengers, boat registration and trip plans and expected time of return.
“The app works by periodically updating your location at sea via GPS so it is vital that even when you have logged the trip on the app to keep your phone on so your coordinates can be updated,” Mr Davies said.
Mr Davies also said that the app can be downloaded from the Marine Rescue website or Facebook page.
App: Marine Rescue NSW
Twitter: @marinerescuensw
Facebook: Marine Rescue NSW, Marine Rescue Port Macquarie
Road Safety
If you are hitting the roads during the holidays you will probably be driving on unfamiliar roads along the way to your journey, make sure you stay up to date on road crashes which might delay your arrival time and give you the chance to plan around the crash sites.
Obviously don’t use the app while driving but it is a great app to ensure you know the road conditions up ahead.
App: Life Traffic Updates
Twitter: @livetrafficupdates
Facebook: NSW Road Safety
Bush Fires
No one wants to end up in the middle of a bush fire in unfamiliar territory, so make sure you plan ahead and be aware of any fire dangers near where you will be travelling.
NSW Rural Fire Service superintendent Kam Baker is urging all Mid North Coast residents and people travelling to stay up to date and safe this bush fire season.
“We’re facing a very real risk of bush fires in the months ahead, so it’s crucial that people remain vigilant, both where they live or where they may be visiting.
“Making a bush fire survival plan and discussing it with family is the first thing everyone should do,” Mr Baker said.
Mr Baker said all residents should check the NSW RFS website or the Fires Near Me app for updates on fires, as well as listening for local alerts.
App: Fire near me
Twitter: @NSWRFS
Facebook: NSW RFS
News outlets
The Port Macquarie News, along with the Wauchope Gazette and Camden Haven Courier are your go to news outlets during the holidays.
To find out breaking news in the area along with coverage from all the local holiday activities across the region.
The Port News is in print, Monday, Wednesday and Friday along with the Camden Haven Courier each Wednesday and the Wauchope Gazette every Thursday with stories constantly being published on our websites everyday.
Twitter: @portmacnews, @CHCourier, @Wachopegazette
Facebook: Port Macquarie News, Camden Haven Courier, Wauchope Gazette
Website: Port News, Camden Haven Courier, Wauchope Gazette