Sharjah: At least three children have died this year from falls from windows or balconies, according to a study by Sharjah Police that holds the view that such tragedies are attributable in large part to parental neglect.
Police said on Monday that seven children died last year after falling from highrise buildings while four childen died in 2013 in similar circumstances.
According to a new study released on Monday by the Sharjah Police research centre, parents must be more vigilant regarding the safety of children living in high rise buildings.
Parents, the study suggested, need to keep a watchful eye on children and secure openings in residential towers.
Latest research shows that no injuries from highrise falls have been recorded this year to date, nor in 2013. In 2014, two children suffered injuries from such falls.
Colonel Sultan Al Khayal, Director of media and public relations department at Sharjah Police, said injuries ranged from fractures to paralysis.
Tragic incidents
“These kinds of tragic incidents have occurred frequently during the course of recent years, leaving a painful and unfortunate impact on the lives of many families.”
Despite many awareness campaigns and repeated warnings by the authorities, such incidents continue to take place, he said.
Continued fatalities from falls suggests “some parents don’t learn a lesson from such advice and guidance, and insist on repeating the mistakes committed by other parents, which led to their children’s deaths,” said Col. Al Khayal.
Col. Al Khayal said that lack of safety measures inside homes is the main problem facing parents and their children.
The study indicates that programmes will be implemented to address the problem. These programmes involve education campaigns in the community and among parents.
The study noted that the installation of window locks and protectors had been made mandatory for building owners.
The study indicated that the efforts of the the Higher Committee for Child Protection at the Ministry of Interior has reviewed the criteria relating to the security and safety of buildings and the introduction of better safety requirements in accordance with the best international practices to protect children from falls.
Solutions
The committee is preparing booklets to help parents secure their homes and they will be available in Arab, English and Urdu languages.
The official said that Sharjah Police are cooperating with the departments concerned including Sharjah Municipality and the planning and survey department to find solutions to this issue.
The planning and surveying department has confirmed that it is currently reviewing all technical specifications for the design of buildings and balconies in new buildings and existing buildings.
The study contained a series of recommendations to move toward safer homes for children.
