Kidzone beach safety scheme back in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Wristbands are given out to help reunite lost children with families
A scheme to promote beach safety has made a return to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole seafronts for 2024.
Kidzone, which has been operating since 2007, has got up and running again this week (from 1st July).
It sees visitors using wristbands, handed out by Kidzone staff, to help reunite lost children with their parents and carers.
The bands can be picked up from all BCP Council seafront offices, and RNLI lifeguard towers now - or from staff patrolling the beaches at Boscombe, Alum and Durley Chine from July 24th through to September 1st.
The child or vulnerable adult’s location, and their parent or guardian’s phone number is written onto the band, and if they get separated during the day, staff will be able to reunite them with their friends and family.
Anthony Rogers, Head of Seafront for BCP Council, said:
"We welcome up to half a million visitors to our beaches every day over the summer season, and on busy days these wristbands provide enormous peace of mind for families.
“Over the years, the Kidzone scheme has reunited thousands of children and vulnerable adults who have become separated from their parents, guardians or carers.
“We are delighted to be running the initiative again this year with LV=, who have partnered with us for many previous years.”
Over the 17 years since the initiative began, the KidZone team have distributed nearly one million wristbands and reunited more than 3,250 lost children or vulnerable adults with their parents/guardians.
Kester Sheppard, RNLI Lifeguard Lead Supervisor, said:
“On a busy day, we know that children can disappear from sight very quickly and much of our lifeguards’ work involves reuniting children with their parents or carers. Our teams will be able to hand out wristbands to help keep the family safe, as well as give additional advice on how to have an enjoyable and safe day at the coast.
“We would advise visiting a lifeguarded beach and to show your children where our lifeguard unit is as soon you arrive so that they know where to go for help.”
Chief Superintendent Heather Dixey, BCP and Seasonal Demand Commander for Dorset Police, added:
“We want people to enjoy visiting our beautiful Dorset beaches, but safety is of paramount importance. If a child or vulnerable adult goes missing it can be a terrifying experience for all involved.
“We urge people to report missing children or adults as quickly as possible to enable police, LV=Kidzone Team, Seafront rangers and the RNLI to begin searching for the missing person.
“It is vital that visitors ensure children and vulnerable adults know who to ask for help should they become separated from their families or carers. The wristbands are an effective way of providing essential information about a person, which can help reunite friends and family as quickly as possible."