A Malaysian toddler fell four storeys from his home, but miraculously survived. Reports say the one year and five-month old boy is currently in a stable condition at the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital in Malaysia.
The Malaysian toddler reportedly crawled to the balcony by opening a sliding door
The Straits Times reports that the tot’s mum was in their fourth floor home when it happened. She didn’t notice that her toddler managed to open the sliding door, which led to their balcony. The family live in a unit in an army housing complex in Kuantan, Malaysia.
The toddler was reportedly playing on the balcony when he fell off. Luckily, his father was nearby and rushed the child to the hospital.
The Malaysian toddler incident could have been prevented if the sliding door was locked (Image source: Pixabay)
Childproofing your home could save your child’s life
Though this Malaysian toddler was fortunate, there are sadly many cases of children perishing in high-rise falls.
Back in 2011, a study estimated that 5,000 children die as a result of falls from high-rise buildings each year.
This makes it all the more important for mums and dads to take extra precautions when living in high-rise buildings.
Here are important childproofing measures to remember:
1. Install safety grilles or window guards
Remember: Window screens do not count. Make sure to have grilles and sturdy window guards in place, especially if you are living with young kids in a high-rise apartment or condominium.
2. Lock windows and balcony doors at all times
Even if you’re in the house, make a habit of checking if all doors and sliding doors are locked. What’s most alarming about the case of the Malaysian toddler was that he was barely two years old, and yet he easily opened an unlocked door.
3. Do not place furniture near windows
Kids are naturally curious and constantly testing their limits. They will climb on practically anything. Aside from childproofing dressers and drawers, make sure no objects or furniture are near windows.
4. Do not leave your child alone in the house
NEVER let your toddler or child out of your sight, even just for a few seconds. Fatal accidents can happen in a split-second. So mums and dads do not step out of the room, even for a few moments, when your child isn’t with another trusted caregiver.
5. Keep objects that can break glass out of reach
Heavy objects such as large toys, when coupled with significant force, can break glass. Aside from increasing the likelihood of high-rise falls, the shards of glass can also cause injury.
6. Inform other caregivers of these safety measures
Make sure those who help you care for your child know these safety measures. You may not be able to keep an eye on your little ones 24/7, but you can at least be confident that you can trust other caregivers to be just as cautious when it comes to home safety and accident prevention.
What other safety measures would you take to prevent high-rise falls, mums and dads?
source: Channel News Asia, The Straits Times, Medical Daily
READ THIS ALSO: Your child’s life depends on you: let’s stop high-rise building deaths now