As festive crowds descend on Cape Town’s beaches, a child safety initiative is proving vital in keeping families together along the coastline.
Nearly 12 000 children have already been fitted with Identikidz safety bracelets since the start of the holiday season, offering parents peace of mind during one of the city’s busiest periods, as per EWN.
The Identikidz programme enables parents and guardians to register their children before heading onto the beach. Each child receives a bracelet marked with a unique serial number that is securely linked to a parent or guardian’s contact details, allowing authorities to act quickly if a child becomes separated from their family.
The impact has been immediate. Over the past week, 11 children who became lost in the crowds were safely reunited with their families, highlighting the importance of the initiative as beach attendance peaks. The programme is operated by the Community, Arts and Culture Development Department and is offered free of charge to the public.
Registration points are clearly marked by green containers positioned at participating beaches across the city. Parents and guardians are encouraged to register all children upon arrival, particularly during high-traffic days when beaches are at their busiest.
The Identikidz service runs for 15 days over the festive season, covering peak dates in December and January. It operates from 9am to 6:30pm on December 14–15, 21–22, 25–26 and 29–31, as well as January 1, 4–5 and 11–12.
With thousands of families expected to continue visiting Cape Town’s coastline, the initiative is providing a crucial safety net, helping ensure that a day at the beach ends safely for everyone.
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp Channel for content worth tapping into! Click here to join!
Also read:
Picture: Gallo Images
