Children need to learn about the dangers of high-rises

While I was returning home from work, I noticed a boy in my neighbourhood leaning out of the window watching passersby for a long time. He seems to be around 10 years old.

What upset me was that there were several people who had noticed this boy leaning out of the window but they went about their routines without saying anything or shouting out to the boy to go inside.

The boy saw me taking his photograph and closed the window only to return later to do the same in a few minutes. I don’t know if he was alone at home or his parents were around, but it was scary to see a child in such a situation.

What I thought was, even after several tragedies that has happened in all the emirates recently when will parents, the community, and children themselves, learn that we have to be careful?

It is my humble suggestion and request to the Ministry of Education to instruct the school authorities to please arrange an awareness campaign in all private and public schools for children of all ages regarding the dangers of leaning out of windows and playing on balconies.

Children might not realise or understand the seriousness unless they are told about it. They can’t or don’t understand what is dangerous and what is not. Like all the other campaigns that have been introduced like the importance of good eating habits, there ought to be a program implemented in schools wherein children are continuously told about right from wrong.

Parents need to spend time with children. Everyone can spare some time to speak about it in their home, offices and family gatherings to spread awareness.

It is better to take action now and avoid a tragedy than to regret that you and me did nothing about our children. Life is so precious; we have the responsibility to protect our family and others around!

This reader is based in Sharjah

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