Alicante will distribute 50,000 identification bracelets this summer to prevent children from getting lost on the city's beaches. This measure, incorporated for the bathing season, complements the distribution of new informational signage about jellyfish and weever fish species found on the Alicante coast, aiming to improve user safety.
Tourism Councilor Ana Poquet highlighted the beaches' readiness to welcome thousands of visitors and urged respect for warning signs and lifeguard instructions. "This year, we are enhancing tranquility and information on our beaches with the introduction of bracelets for minors and informative signs about jellyfish," stated Poquet, noting the initiative was agreed upon with the municipal group Vox.
Parents can request a bracelet at the beach's first-aid station, where they will write the child's name and a contact number. The bracelets are water-resistant, as is the ink used, and are designed to be difficult for children to remove, thus facilitating quick location in case of separation.
The signage, which includes information on the most common marine species and advice for stings, was developed using data from the Institute of Coastal Ecology and the Environmental Service of the Alicante City Council.
Vox spokesperson Carmen Robledillo welcomed the implementation of these initiatives, previously presented at the Municipal Plenary, emphasizing that "they demonstrate that simple, low-cost measures can significantly improve the services provided on our beaches, reinforcing family protection and the quality of our tourist destination."
Additionally, a successful rescue simulation was conducted at El Postiguet beach, involving ten lifeguards, a jet ski, and six Local Police officers with a drone, who participated in an operation to rescue a person with a leg injury. The total response time was 5 minutes and 30 seconds.
Last year, the Lifesaving and Lifeguard Service carried out seven key interventions and over 4,000 assists on Alicante's beaches, with approximately 200 requiring advanced medical assistance.
