'A young child does not know what safety is'
Schools should also play role in educating youngsters, parents say
Dubai: How safe are our children is the burning question in the minds of parents, child experts, authorities and all responsible residents in the UAE — especially after the recent rash of children falling to their deaths from high-rise buildings.
Are parents to be held solely responsible for these tragedies or is it solely related to the way buildings are constructed and equipped? Would assigning responsibility really result in a foolproof solution or should responsibility be shared by one and all?
In an attempt to find a way to ensure the safety of children, Gulf News sought opinions from parents across the UAE and also about the measures they take to safeguard their children.
Dishna Mirchandani, a Dubai-based businesswoman and mother of a nine-year-old girl: Parents are definitely responsible for ensuring that their children are safe. A young child does not know what safety is and the impact of a minor negligence, it is the parents' duty to make sure that children are trained.
Before you move into an apartment, you should look into the kind of safety measures in place in that building. In fact, children should not be left alone even for a moment.
However, the responsibility does not end here. Every person needs to be cautious. If you see a child in a mall or a public place exposed to any danger, you should act. The school where the child studies is equally responsible. It is, for instance, like fire. When fire breaks out, you have a fire alarm and everyone acts. You also teach kids fire safety measures. Similarly, you have to teach them about overall safety including safety in high-rise buildings.
Supervision alone is not enough. Training children is equally crucial.
Randy Carlos, a father of two: To begin with, as a parent one of our responsibilities is to ensure the safety of our kids. As a parent, there are several safety precautions that I have taken. We put safety locks on our windows and also on doors that lead to the terrace so that they cannot open. Before leaving our room/flat, I switch off all electrical equipment that might cause a danger. I turn off the cooking gas every day before leaving. We teach kids how to cross the road — "look left and right and when no vehicle is passing by they can cross the road" and also tell them about important signs. Things that can be harmful, for example, candles, are kept out of their reach and so are poisonous chemicals in a cabinet that is locked.
These are just a few things, me and my wife keep on reminding them regarding these and other safety precautions. One-time guidance is not enough, we also talk regularly to their nanny about safety and keep giving them reminders too.
Secondly, I strongly feel the school itself should train children in different spheres of life and equip them to brave unexpected situations. This learning at a young age can come in handy anytime in their lives.
Anshad Guruvayoor, Abu Dhabi resident and father of a six-month-old: These incidents are a cause of worry. We are all responsible, especially as parents. Buildings should be safe and at the same time, parents need to be very careful. I feel schools should include safety training as a part of the curriculum right from the time a child starts their schooling.
Any of the measures are not enough alone, we have to make combined efforts.
Roxanne Vakharia, Dubai resident, who has two daughters, ages six and nine: Earlier we lived on the 26th floor where we had the hall, and two bedrooms opening onto the balcony. The building was pretty safe. But we always made sure the doors were locked and the lock never had a key in it.
If you have children or plan to, you must pay attention to your building's safety. However, safety in the home is not enough. Your children go to other places, friends' houses, daycare centres, shopping malls etc. A child should also be trained about their safety in different ways. I have noticed some schools are telling small children about this. Like my six-year-old daughter, the other day, was talking about danger from strangers.
Expert's Tip: monitoring is vital
Consultant psychologist Dr Dolly Habbal said: "Parents should know that children are reckless and can't predict the consequences of their actions, opening windows is easy so some safety measures should be installed."
"Parents need to monitor their children constantly and make sure they prevent them from watching certain cartoons like Superman that instill in children the idea that they can fly. Relevant authorities should foster awareness among parents," she added.
