Sharjah balconies must be altered to curb child mishaps

Sharjah authorities must take measures to force landlords to improve safety at their buildings in the emirate by changing the balcony and window structures to prevent further fatal child fall accidents, according to the Sharjah Police.

In a study following a strong of fatal accidents involving children’s fall from their apartments in the emirate, police blamed defective building structures and negligence by parents for such mishaps and called for urgent measures to tackle the problem.

The police also suggested intensified educational and awareness campaigns targeting families and said the media must play a key role in this respect.

It also proposed the issuance of regular instructions handbooks in Arabic, Urdu, Persian, English and other languages to advise families living in higher floors on measures to protect their children.

The study said a concerted effort is now needed to be taken by all competent authorities, including the municipality, the planning department and the civil defence.

“There is an urgent need for new legislation forcing landlords to improve safety at their buildings by altering the structure of windows and balconies.

"Landlords must put suitable locks on windows to prevent children from sliding out and install metal nets around the balconies to ensure protection for kids playing there,” the study said.

“In this respect, the planning department should introduce definite specifications for all apartments and ensure landlords will comply with them.”

The study, published in the semi official daily 'Al Ittihad', also blamed parents for those tragic accidents. "Most of those accidents were caused by parents’ negligence and their failure to take the necessary protection measures.”

Police records show that more than 20 children have died in Sharjah over the past 15 months after falling down from their apartments.

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