How to Turn Your Phone into a Summertime Survival Kit

Summer can be a dangerous time of year. The clothes come off, the sun blazes, and the bees and mosquitoes come out. We’re more active, which means more opportunities for accidents, such as ankle twists and bruises. As you head bravely into the outdoors, here’s a toolkit of Android and iOS apps you can use to deal with sunburns, surf, stings, sprains, and much more.

When it comes to dealing with unexpected ailments and injuries, it’s hard to beat the American Red Cross. The top section of its app lets you browse through emergency categories, where you can get quick treatment options for everything from sun stroke to stings and bites. Click on a condition, and a numbered list gives you tips for best handling your situation.

When the condition is serious enough, a button appears that will automatically prep your phone to dial 911. The app’s “Hospital” option is also particularly helpful, as it gives you a list of the nearest medical facilities. You can tap on a link to call them or pull them up on a map.

The “Prepare” category helps you plan for emergencies in advance, such as a heatwave or tornado. Finally, the “Summer Safety” option will give you a good overview of different steps you can take to prepare yourself for the worst the dog days can throw at you. (Tap the “Quizzes” category to test your knowledge.)