A summer beach safety scheme helped reunite 59 people with loved ones and issued more than 15,000 wristbands across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole beaches. A beach wristband scheme reunited 59 people with loved ones along BCP’s coastline this summer. LV= KidZone ran on Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole beaches during July and August, with BCP Council delivering the scheme in partnership with LV= and support from RNLI lifeguards across the seafront. More than 15,000 wristbands were handed out, allowing parents, guardians and carers to write a contact number and location on each band s
A beach wristband scheme reunited 59 people with loved ones along BCP’s coastline this summer.
LV= KidZone ran on Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole beaches during July and August, with BCP Council delivering the scheme in partnership with LV= and support from RNLI lifeguards across the seafront.
More than 15,000 wristbands were handed out, allowing parents, guardians and carers to write a contact number and location on each band so staff could help anyone who became separated get back safely.
The average reunion took 13 minutes, and Councillor Richard Herrett said separation can be “frightening” on busy beach days, adding that the results showed “the value of the partnership” this summer.
Samantha Preece, from LV=, said the scheme shows what can happen when local businesses support their community, while RNLI regional lifeguard lead Ed Stevens said it helped lifeguards reunite families swiftly.
KidZone has now finished for the season, but RNLI lifeguards remain at Sandbanks, Bournemouth West, Bournemouth East and Boscombe East beaches until 27 September to offer safety advice and first aid.
See more at rnli.org.
