Residents near a Hougang HDB block witnessed a similar nerve-wracking sight — a child standing on the window ledge of a flat — on Sunday (Jan 3) morning.
Fortunately, the child was later rescued by a worker in a boom lift.
In a video clip circulating on social media, the child is seen standing on the ledge outside a flat on the third floor, with both hands grabbing onto the laundry poles above them.
A worker approaches the child slowly in the crane, and then carries them off the ledge and onto the boom lift.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that it received a call for assistance at Block 243 Hougang Street 22 at about 7.50am that day and added that the child was rescued before their arrival at the scene.
According to SCDF, the child was not taken to hospital after an assessment by a paramedic.
Recent years have seen children falling from buildings, oftentimes the result of being left alone at home.
While some survived their falls, others were not as fortunate and died.
Tips on How to Make Balconies Safe for Toddlers and Young Children
Image source: iStock
- Here, we list the top eight ways you can child-proof a high-rise residence:
- Install grilles on your windows. Do ensure that these grilles are too narrow for your children to squeeze through (speak to your building’s management if they provide grilles that are too wide). Don’t forget to also lock any open windows.
- Keep the area around windows and balcony walls clear of any large objects that a child can climb on, like ladders or stools.
- Keep an eye out for objects that when thrown, can break windows, such as heavy toys and marbles.
- Lock the windows and the door to your balcony when you are not around. Always ensure that the windows stay closed before you leave the house.
- Teach your child about the dangers of windows and balconies. Explain to them the dangers and, if they can follow rules, strictly forbid them from going near the windows at all. You can also find educational resources online to teach them.
- NEVER leave your child alone in the house – not even for a short while. Toddlers and young children can do all sorts of things when you’re not around.
- Lock the door to your balcony when you’re not around, if window grilles aren’t a viable option.
- Caution all other caregivers of your child to watch your children at all times. Caregivers spend the most time with your children second to you – always tell them to never let your children near the window or balcony.
Image source: iStock
This article was first published in AsiaOne and republished on theAsianparent with permission.
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