Sharjah Civil Defense: Lack of awareness, neglect blamed on loss of children's life

Sharjah: A spate of recent mishaps resulting in the death of children has prompted authorities in the UAE to warn parents and other caregivers against negligence.

Speaking to Gulf News, which has launched a campaign to highlight the need for child safety, Colonel Sami Khamis Al Naqbi, Director General of Sharjah Civil Defence, said the authorities will come down heavily on anyone — including fanmily members — if a child is found to be neglected.

Such incidents, he said, should force parents and property owners to take preventive measures. “Parents should supervise their children, make sure windows are closed and avoid keeping any objects that will help children climb on to windows and balconies,” he said.

The fact that these incidents continue to happen despite repeated warnings by the authorities shows that “some parents don’t learn lessons and insist on repeating the mistakes committed by other parents,” he said.

Sharjah Civil Defence plans to distribute booklets and instructions as part of its awareness campaign. These booklets will be available in Arabic, English and Urdu.

He said while the public administration and government institutions promote community awareness and put systems in place to preventive mishaps involving children, their safety primarily rests on the shoulders of parents who need to stay alert at all times.

Article 349 of the UAE Federal Penal Code stipulates that whoever, by himself or by means of others, endangers a juvenile under 15 years of age, or a person unable to protect himself due to his health, mental or psychological condition, shall be punished by detention for a period not exceeding two years.’

The penalty increases to three years if the child is left unattended at the time of an incident.