Sharjah: Despite new safety rules implemented last year to child-proof homes in residential towers, a string of child deaths from falls from buildings are prompting Sharjah Police once again to advise parents to be more vigilant than ever.
Parents of children who died after falls from high-rise flat windows and balconies will be referred to the courts when evidence proves they neglected their children or left them unattended, a senior police officer said on Sunday.
Colonel Khalifa Kalander, Director of Comprehensive Police Stations at Sharjah Police, told Gulf News, “All cases of falling incidents are being referred to the public prosecution to issue their decision on the case.”
Col Kalander said that a pattern of lack of safety and security measures inside flats in high-rise buildings is the main problem. He warned parents not to leave their children unattended at home and to instruct housemaids to keep a close eye on them.
“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,” he said.
In 2015 alone, there were seven cases of children’s deaths from falls which were referred to the prosecution while so far this year, two cases have been sent for a decision on whether to prosecute. Seven children died from fatal falls in 2014, an increase from four falls in 2013.
In some of those cases, children who fell had been left alone at home by parents.
Sharjah Police said that all cases of children falling were referred to public prosecutors who will decide either to shelve the case or prosecute the parents.
Several cases were registered in Sharjah courts in recent years but they were shelved as the deaths were deemed accidental.
One case in Sharjah saw a mother sentenced by Sharjah court to pay a Dh3,000 fine and blood money.
Endangering the life of a child under 15 can invite a penalty of one month to two years’ imprisonment. The penalty increases to three years if the child is left unattended.
Col Kalander urged residents to be vigilant and ensure they keep their windows and balconies closed and not to leave furniture items under windows or on the balcony because young children have climbed on to these and fallen from windows and balconies.
The fact that incidents continue to take place means that “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 Kalander
“In order to avoid such painful circumstances, parents need to follow safety measures in their homes, watch and supervise their children; make sure windows are closed and keep any objects that help children climb windows and balconies away — especially in areas where they play.”
Children’s deaths from falls in Sharjah
February 24, 2016
A 15-month-old Omani girl dies after falling from a sixth-floor apartment balcony in Moeilah area, Sharjah.
February 3, 2016
A four-year-old Syrian girl falls to her death from the window of an eighth floor apartment in a building in Al Taawun area, Sharjah.
November 15, 2015
A 15-year-old Indian girl dies after falling from the 14th floor balcony of a residential building in Al Nahda area, Sharjah.
October 25, 2015
A five-year-old girl dies after falling from the window of her 15th floor apartment in Al Taawun area, Sharjah.
October 7, 2015
An 11-year-old British national of Yemeni origin boy dies after falling from the sixth floor of Al Jawaher building in Al Majaz area, Sharjah.
June 14, 2015
A two-year-old African girl falls to her death from a high-rise apartment in Sharjah in Al Taawun area of Sharjah.
March 9, 2015
A four-year-old Egyptian boy dies after falling from a window of his family’s 19th floor apartment in a building in Al Nahda area, Sharjah.
March 3, 2015
A 12-year-old Indian girl dies after falling from her third-floor apartment in a building behind Al Zahra Hospital, Sharjah.
February 22, 2015
A seven-year-old boy dies after falling eight floors from a balcony of his building in Sharjah while trying to feed pigeons.
