The Identikidz programme helps reunite lost children with their families on busy beaches during the festive season
The City will launch its annual Identikidz programme, which reunites lost children with their families, at 16 beaches, from Thursday December 15.
The programme will run at Muizenberg, Fish Hoek, Big Bay, Camps Bay, Gordon’s Bay, Harmony Park, Lagoon Beach, Melkbosstrand, Milnerton, Mnandi, Monwabisi, Sea Point and surrounds, Silwerstroom, Strandfontein and Strand, from 9am to 6.30pm, on December 15, 16, 17, 18 24, 25, 26 and 31 and January 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22.
The project will also run at Maiden’s Cove on Monday December 26 as well as Sunday January 1 and Monday January 2.
Caregivers and parents can get their children registered at the branded booths that will be stationed at participating beaches. The waterproof wristbands will have a unique number on them which is recorded next to the details of the children during registration should they get lost on the beach.
The programme had proven to be a successful festive-season safety measure but it relied on teamwork, said mayoral committee member for community services and health Patricia Van der Ross.
“The City provides the service, and works closely with other relevant agencies in instances where children need to be reunited with their caregivers, but we need our beachgoers to work with us. When you arrive at one of the participating beaches, find the registration point and get your children tagged,” she said.
Ms Van der Ross reminded the public that safety on the beach included safety in the water.
“Our four non-negotiable rules are to not drink and swim, to be aware of rip currents, to swim only in the demarcated areas where lifeguards are present, and, most importantly, do not leave children unsupervised,” she said.
During the previous festive season, Identikidz staff assisted and tagged 98 232 children and 338 children were reunited with their families.