Download this app to stay safe

Worried about whom to contact in case of an emergency? This mobile app is the solution. Created by Vile Parle resident, the Google Android app Mumbai SOS, is a your one-stop directory containing a list of all emergency phone numbers in the city including the police station, hospital, chemists and NGO contacts. Even better, the app can be downloaded for free and doesn't need to access the internet once on your phone.

"The idea for the app came about post the 2006 cloudburst. At that time, when the phone lines and internet were down, people had no way to call for help and I wanted to address this problem. The idea is to get the number you need in 2-3 clicks," says Sidharth Shah, founder of Fafadia Tech, a company that offers mobile solutions. Mumbai SOS finally hit the market earlier this year in January.

The app is currently compatible with any Google Android phone, though there plans of launching iPhone and Blackberry versions as well. Post download, the app provides access to all emergency services in Mumbai. These numbers are divided according to categories like police stations, hospitals etc. Multiple number options at each place are also available, when possible. Also, specific details like 24/7 chemists are mentioned too. Shah says, "The information is updated regularly and when there is an update, the phone tells the patron to download the latest version."

In the future, there are plans to segregate the information area-wise. Shah says, "This will help get info on all close by emergency services at one go." Also, the developers are working towards using the phone's GPS to determining your current location thereby directing you to the closest emergency service available.