Safety for Visitors

Safety for Visitors
Situated in a top tourist destination in South Africa, George has thousands of visitors every year. We want you to have a memorable stay in George Municipality, for all the right reasons!  Please note these safety tips while travelling in South Africa.

Useful Documents
Safety in the Mountains of George
Safety on Southern Cape Beaches
Rip Currents 
Watch this video on how to identify a rip current, and what to do if you get caught in one. (Courtesy of NSRI)
Identifying rip currents in Wilderness and Herold’s Bay 
Public Swimming Pool (Conville and Uniondale)
Where are Dogs allowed on the beach?

SAFETY TIPS
Your mobile device:
Ensure you always have your mobile device with you and make sure it is charged for the day.
Create an ICE (In Case of Emergency) on your contact list with a number emergency staff can call if you can not speak for yourself.
If you do not have data roaming enabled on your mobile device, purchase a South African SIM card and load airtime.

This ensures you can always:
Obtain reliable directions from a source like Google Maps
Call a private taxi to pick you up if you do not feel safe
Call for help should there ever be an emergency

While exploring:
Avoid walking alone in deserted areas. Explore busy and well-lit areas.
It is not recommended that you carry large sums of cash.
Don’t allow strangers to help you at bank teller machines (ATMs). If you’re unsure of what to do, ask for assistance inside the bank.

In your vehicle:
Keep the doors locked and the windows up.
Do not leave any valuables visible in your vehicle when you park.
Never pick up strangers or hitch-hikers.
Park in well-lit areas at night.

At the beach or on the mountain:
Never swim alone on the beach. Please swim in areas that are supervised by a lifeguard.
Never hike alone. Book a nature site guide to go with you or hike in access-controlled areas like the Garden Route National Park.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS
George Municipality After Hours and Emergencies: +27 44 801 6300
Garden Route Disaster Management Centre: +27(0)44 805 5071
International Tourist Safety and Support: Ilze Jacobs +27 82 972 2507 or Ilze.Jacobs@westerncape.gov.za

POLICE
South African Police Services: 10111 from a landline or 112 from a cellphone
George Police Station: +27 44 803 4400 / 4733

AMBULANCE / HOSPITAL
Medi Clinic George (private hospital): +27 44 874 6777 (Emergency Department)
George Hospital (public hospital): +27 44 874 5122
Ambulance – National Number 10177

SEA RESCUE
National Sea Rescue Initiative (NSRI) +27 87 094 9774
Local NSRI Emergency Number +27 82 990 5955

FIRE
George Municipality Fire Department: +27 44 801 6311