Madeira is very safe in the ordinary sense; the risks here are the landscape, not the people.
- Emergency: 112, English spoken.
- Levadas: stay on the path, do not walk them in heavy rain or after it (rockfall), and check the official status at ifcn.madeira.gov.pt, because some are closed for months. Turn back if the path is fenced off.
- The sea: the north and west coasts have heavy swells and no lifeguards outside a few beaches. Swim in the sea pools or at flagged beaches. Never turn your back on the ocean on the rocks.
- Sun: strong, and stronger on the water and at altitude.
- Mountain roads in cloud: slow down, lights on, and pull over if you cannot see the next bend.
- Pharmacies (farmácia, green cross) are everywhere and can advise on small things; the main hospital is in Funchal.