Fatal Falls from Balconies Highlight Importance of Child Safety in High-Rise Apartments
by on 19/03/2020 6541
Also available in : Bahasa Malaysia 中文版
In May 2017, a mother lost her young 4-year-old child from a tragic balcony fall in Balakong. Just before the girl died, she was soundly asleep at home, but alone. Her mother, who is said to be Sudanese, went out to pick up her other two children. It is believed that the girl woke up, dragged a chair to the balcony, stood on it to look for her mother, and lost balance. She fell 14 floors down inadvertently and was pronounced dead at the scene[i].
Drawing sad parallels with two other fatal falls, reported within a couple days of each other, both victims aged 5[ii] and 6[iii] years respectively, plunged to their deaths from their apartments with severe traumatic head injuries. In such cases, parents do not only have to grapple with the unfathomable grief but could also face the possibility of being convicted of criminal negligence charges under Section 31 (1) of the Child Act 2001.
“According to the World Health Organization, South-East Asia has one of the highest rates of fatal falls and falls are the 12th leading cause of death among 5 to 9-year-olds; 66% of fatal falls among children happen from a height.”
These isolated incidents, sadly, are not unique in Malaysia and are the real endings to many families living in aesthetically beautiful high-rise residential developments, with balcony extensions, that promote the views as their major selling point. Many of these accidents happen because parents usually wrongly assume that their children cannot get past thin unlocked protective screens or that they are incapable of climbing balcony balustrades. According to the World Health Organization[iv], South-East Asia has one of the highest rates of fatal falls and falls are the 12th leading cause of death among 5 to 9-year-olds; 66% of fatal falls among children happen from a height.
Is Your Balcony Really Safe?
The tragic demise of these children raises concern about the dangers of balconies, not just for children but also for adults, in both urban and rural areas. Is your balcony really safe?
- Are there wide gaps in your balcony balustrade?
- Is your balcony balustrade made up of horizontal rails?
- Do you usually leave the door to your balcony unlocked?
- Do you assume that balcony protective mesh screens are sufficient as a safety measure?
Minimise the Risk
If you answered “YES” to any of the above, then yes, your balcony is at risk! Instead of keeping your balcony completely off limits, take action now to protect your child from falls and serious injuries. By following a few simple safety steps and being aware of the risks that balconies can pose to younger children can spare your family the trauma that others felt from the impact of fatal falls.
Ensure the Balcony is in Good Repair
While balconies should be inspected by professionals every five years or so, this is not always the situation in reality. If your landlord has dropped the ball, it is important to take matters in your own hands. Check for structural integrity, keep an eye out for any visible cracks or water damage, and give the rails a good shake to make sure there are no loose poles. Always supervise your children and prevent access to balconies by keeping the doors that lead to them locked. Also, keep all furniture and other climbable objects away from the edge of the balcony.
Safer Homes with Glass Curtains®
However, it is not always possible to keep tabs on what is happening around our balconies. Many homeowners settle for invisible grilles or louvres, but they do have their drawbacks. Their designs can still lead to injuries and are not the most aesthetically appealing. While there are pros and cons for both invisible grilles and louvres, there is another product out in the market when considering safety measures for your balcony. Ever heard about Glass Curtains®? This latter option is the clear winner when you do not want to compromise safety and style. Glass Curtains® is a revolutionary curtain system that can be used to enclose balconies with high-quality tempered glass to give families the freedom to enjoy their living spaces safely and comfortably. The slimline glass panels are inserted into anti-corrosive tracks that are fitted on the balcony edge, offering minimum sliding resistance and making balconies child and pet friendly.
Glass Curtains® – a revolutionary curtain system that can be used to enclose balconies with high-quality tempered glass to give families the freedom to enjoy their living spaces safely and comfortably.
Glass Curtains® not only evokes timeless appeal, but also provides many advantages over conventional bi-fold doors for a carefree living situation. Each system is custom crafted to fit perfectly in a variety of shapes and heights. Only the finest glass, ones that are tested for impact performance, surface compression and fragmentation, are used; the 10mm thick strengthened glass meets international industry standards and stands strong in the harshest elements including a wind load of 250km/hour. In addition, a sidelock system ensures maximum security without compromising picturesque views.
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RECLAIM THE USE OF YOUR BALCONY SPACE WITH GLASS CURTAINS® |
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With this sleek installation, you can now transform your balcony into a stylish functional feature rather than a mere structural appendage. The frameless glass design deems it virtually invisible, making it aesthetically appealing both inside and out. It is fully retractable – the panels can be moved individually allowing for small or large opening widths – for precise ventilation control. They simply slide, swing and stack neatly to the side, offering a particularly space-saving solution. The glass panels open in such a way that makes cleaning a breeze; you do not need to risk your safety and lean out to wipe away dust and water stains from the rain. Best of all, it is maintenance-free! There is no need for oiling or replacement of parts, such as ball bearings and rubber wheels, all thanks to the Teflon Transport System.
The beauty of Glass Curtains® is the perfect combination of features to form a system that resolves many complex issues of living in an apartment and balcony threats. Don’t rob yourself off real peace of mind by living with an insecure balcony, knowing that falls and accidents from balconies usually happen without warning and in the blink of an eye. For a comprehensive consultation or cost estimate of installing Glass Curtains® for your balcony, please email info@glasscurtains.com.my, Whatsapp http://bit.ly/glasscurtainswhatsapp or visit https://www.glasscurtains.co/ today.
References
[i] Four-year-old falls to death from 14th floor of Balakong condomium
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2017/05/241357/four-year-old-falls-death-14th-floor-balakong-condominium
[ii] Five-year-old falls six floors to his death from Shah Alam apartment
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2017/09/284679/five-year-old-falls-six-floors-his-death-shah-alam-apartment
[iii] 6-year-old left alone at home falls to his death from Sentul apartment balcony
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2017/09/277199/6-year-old-left-alone-home-falls-his-death-sentul-apartment-balcony
[iv] World report on child injury prevention
https://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/child/injury/world_report/Falls_english.pdf
