Free wristbands to help parents reunite with lost children sooner at the Ekka

Free identification wristbands to help reunite lost children with their parents sooner will be available at the Ekka again this year, Police Minister Jo-Ann Miller announced today.

Minister Miller said the successful initiative had helped to ensure some of the 55 children lost at the Ekka last year and the 85 the year before were quickly reunited with their parents and caregivers.

“It’s very distressing for both children and parents when they get separated from each other – especially at an event with so many people around like the Ekka,” Minister Miller said.

“As soon as you get to the Ekka, parents should designate a meeting point that their children can try and get to if they find themselves lost. It’s also important that parents point out what a police officer looks like and make it clear that they’re trustworthy figures who are around to help.

“Although it’ll be tempting to rush to the Ferris Wheel or go straight for the fairy floss, parents should make picking up a free wristband from the Exhibition Police Station their first priority. The station is the high set wooden building located about 50 metres from Gate 1 on Gregory Terrace.

“Parents and caregivers can then record their names and contact details on the underside of the wristband so they aren’t visible to the general public. These wristbands go a long way to reducing the trauma and distress children face when they’re lost because it can dramatically reduce the time it takes to reunite them with their parents.

“The Ekka is a Queensland institution and we want everyone who visits the show from right across the state to be able to enjoy themselves and remain safe.”

Schools or community groups bringing large groups of children to the Ekka are encouraged to register their attendance with police at the wristband marquee at the Ekka Police Station. This will enable Police to quickly contact the relevant carers, should a child become separated from the group.

Police encourage parents to know where their children are at all times.

A separate police display at the Ekka is open from 9am to 7pm daily for the duration of the show.

[ENDS] August 8

Media contact: Brent Davidson (Minister Miller’s Office) 0438 696 185