Dubai: Unfortunate events of children falling from high-rise buildings have occurred in the past few years in the UAE. At least three children have died this year from such falls. In a report published in April, authorities informed Gulf News about the safety rules put in place to prevent such incidents. All new buildings are required to install concrete or aluminium bars in balconies that should not be lower than 1.2 metres. Additionally, the opening of the window should be at least 90 centimetres above floor level and all windows should have locks or at least resistance locks, so windows cannot be opened more than 10cm. If building plans do not meet the specifications, they will not be approved.
According to the American Red Cross, a non-profit organisation in the US, no child less than eight years of age should be left alone for any extended period of time. However, if the situation does arise, there are simple steps that parents can follow to ensure that their child is safe.
1. Keep an emergency contact list in a visible location.
This should include the parents’ work and mobile numbers, numbers for known neighbours and also numbers for the police (999) and civil defence (997). The US-based National Crime Prevention Council, an educational non-profit organisation, states that parents should also call their children throughout the day to check on them and see how they are.
2. Practice an emergency plan or have fire drills with the child so they know what to do in case of a fire or injury.
The Dubai Civil Defence states on their official website that all family members, especially children, need to be trained on how to evacuate the premises during an emergency. An emergency plan should be set, which can be written down and displayed in a clear place. The child should also know where the flashlights are.
3. Rules when opening the door to strangers.
The US-based National Crime Prevention Council recommends that parents ask their children questions like, “If someone is trying to get in the house, what should you do?” Children should be told to check before opening the door, looking through a peephole. They should not call out to ask who is there and should not announce that they are alone at home. If they recognise the person, or if it is someone their parent was expecting, they should check with the parent before letting the person in. If it is a delivery person, they should not open the door. They can ask the person to leave the package at the door or tell them to come back later.
4. It is important for parents to install safety covers on all unused electrical outlets.
Childhood deaths due to electrocution are more likely to occur when children are playing around electrical wires or equipment, according to research conducted by the US-based National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). They state that accidents may occur as a result of faulty apparatus or a lack of understanding of the potential dangers involved. The majority of deaths, or 69 per cent, occur in the home environment.
5. Make sure that medicine is kept locked in a storage place or out of the reach of children.
The American Red Cross recommends that if a child has a medical condition, his or her prescribed medication should be kept in a clear place. Parents should also ensure that potential poisons like detergents or pesticides are stored in locked cabinets.
