| Another busy weekend for Identikidz on beaches | <p>Identikidz, introduced and managed by the City's Social Development and Early Childhood Development Department, began in mid-December last year for the current summer season. The project, aimed at creating a safer beach environment, provides registered children with a waterproof wristband containing a unique number. That number is recorded next to the child's details (their caregiver's name, address and a contact number) on a registration sheet.</p><p> The past weekend saw 18 534 children tagged, with the highest number recorded at Strand beach with 2 746. Strandfontein, Mnandi and Muizenberg beaches followed with 2 588, 2 420 and 2 145 respectively. Staff also recorded 18 lost children during the two days.</p><p> Last year, over the Christmas long weekend, more than 12 000 children were tagged at three of the city's busiest beaches –Strand, Muizenberg and Strandfontein.</p><p> The New Year's long weekend was busier, with 36 959 children tagged, and 198 children reunited.</p><p> By 1 January 2024, 85 916 children were tagged and 263 children reunited with their caregivers.</p><p>Participating beaches are Big Bay, Camps Bay, Fish Hoek, Gordon's Bay, Harmony Park, Melkbosstrand, Milnerton Beach, Mnandi, Monwabisi, Muizenberg, Sea Point and surrounding area, Silwerstroom, Strand and Strandfontein.</p><p> The project will run for the next two weekends 13 – 14 January and 20 – 21 January 2024.</p><p> 'We are grateful that the project proves to be a success in assisting children and caregivers by creating a safer beach environment. Children should be cared for and be able to enjoy the outdoors when visiting the many City beaches. Identikidz also has an educational component as it increases safety awareness and the responsibility we all have to work together to ensure a safer beach environment. We would like to encourage caregivers and beachgoers to adhere to the safety regulations and make use of the services rendered when visiting our beautiful beaches,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross.</p><p> <strong>End</strong></p><p><br></p> | 2024-01-07T22:00:00Z | GP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891d | | | | | GP0|#ff0b55f9-77e2-44c8-8ba0-61504af16684;L0|#0ff0b55f9-77e2-44c8-8ba0-61504af16684|Beach;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#550cea01-5fec-45fb-8509-f49cfc36c0e0;L0|#0550cea01-5fec-45fb-8509-f49cfc36c0e0|Safety | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | 0 |
