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Here's how malls around SA are keeping your kids safe

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Once the shine of having so much free time wears off, and you've tried everything on our bumper family holiday guide, you may not be spoilt for choice on how to keep the kids entertained. 

Malls are easily accessible, and with tons of fun options it's easy to see why they're some of the most frequented family hangouts. 

And the holidays are no exception. 

We asked a few malls across the country how they are keeping families safe during the July break, and what parents can do when they find that their little ones have wandered off. 

Here's what they told the Parent24 team:

V & A Waterfront, Cape Town  

"We maintain a very visible security presence within the V&A.

In the case where children are separated from their parents, our security personnel will bring them to our Visitor Information center.  

Strict protocols are in place before a child should be released to a parent or guardian. 

Our security teams have been alerted to look out for parents who first need to verify that the children should be in their care. 

During high season when we have strong footfall, we issue wristbands to parents for their children to wear to help reunite them should they get separated.

Visitors can collect the wristbands at our information kiosks and the wristbands are available at no cost.

Lost children are typically reported to our security teams and a central control room is able to activate a search at short notice.

We have not lost any child within the premises." 

— Donald Kau, PR & Communications Manager

Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal

"The safety of our shoppers is paramount importance to the Management Team at Gateway Theatre of Shopping.

Our security complement in and around the centre is increased with additional man-power and more visibility.

Furthermore to this, Gateway will be working closely with the Ridge Management Association, SAPS and Crime Intelligence to ensure a smooth running of operations."

Shevani Maharaj, Marketing Liaison Officer

Walmer Park Shopping Centre, Port Elizabeth

"We have security guards posted at each entrance to the mall and throughout the mall.

We suggest advising the 1st security officer with a full description of the child – male/female, age, what they are wearing, and where they last saw them.

The security officer will then put an alert out over the radio and commence searching in the last seen area and the parents should proceed immediately to either the Information Kiosk, located in the centre of the mall, or the centre management offices.

From there, we will co-ordinate a full search using our security officers as well as our CCTV camera system that covers the whole centre, inside and outside parking areas."

— Leonard Eybers, Operations Manager

Read more: 

Has your child ever gone missing inside a shopping centre? Share your experience with us by emailing to chatback@parent24.com and we may publish your letters. 

Sign up to our Weekly Newsletter if you'd like to receive Parent24 stories directly. 

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