Florida is a popular tourist destination and generally safe, but residents and visitors should be aware of weather, wildlife, and urban safety practices.
* **Emergency Numbers:** Dial **911** for all police, fire, and medical emergencies. Dial ***FHP (*347)** for the Florida Highway Patrol on state highways. * **Crime Overview:** Crime rates vary significantly by region. While large tourist corridors and major downtowns are well-patrolled and generally safe, standard urban precautions should be taken in major cities like Miami, Orlando, and Jacksonville. * **Hurricane Safety:** Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Residents and visitors should monitor the National Hurricane Center and have an evacuation plan. * **Wildlife Safety:** Alligators are present in nearly all bodies of freshwater. Never feed wildlife, and do not swim in unposted lakes or rivers. Be aware of venomous snakes and stingrays (do the "stingray shuffle" at the beach). * **Water Safety:** Pay attention to beach warning flags. Rip currents are a frequent hazard on both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.