An 11-year-old Malaysian boy has fallen from the balcony of his second-floor apartment after trying to enter his house without his keys.
According to local police, the boy “climbed onto the balcony of his second-floor flat to get in through the kitchen” as he had forgotten his house keys when he left the apartment.
While he was attempting to do so, the Malaysian boy slipped and fell two floors, sustaining major injuries and falling into a coma.
Seberang Perai Tengah District Police Chief Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abdul Hamid said the boy has since transferred from the Seberang Jaya Hospital to the Penang General Hospital.
Currently, according to the boy’s mother, he has regained consciousness and is recuperating at the Penang General Hospital.
Police Chief Nik Ros Azhan added that the boy is a single child whose parents divorced 10 years ago.
The mother is believed to be a cashier while the father is a fireman, both of them were not at home when the incident occurred.
Source: file photo
Balcony Safety for Children
When it comes to balcony safety, entrapment and falling are two major ways in which children can get hurt. Balcony falls can be critical and often result in broken bones, face and head trauma, and death. If you have a balcony at home, do follow these vital reminders to keep little children safe:
- Do not let your child play in the balcony unattended.
- Discourage them from climbing on the balcony.
- Keep any objects that children can climb, like benches, tables, and chairs, away from the balcony area.
- Discourage kids from dragging any light furniture close to the balcony.
- Make sure that your balcony is fitted with grills. If not, your balcony door and windows should have child safety locks. Keep doors to balconies locked at all times.
- Check the railing’s gaps. Anything greater than four inches is a threat to your child’s safety. A child as old as six can fit through a gap as small as six inches.
- Teach your child about safety.
- Conduct regular safety checks. Check railings and locks regularly to make sure they’re still working properly.
- 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.
- 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.
Do take these necessary precautions, parents.
