Moves under way to reduce fatal falls from high-rises in UAE

The tragic death of five children in Sharjah is motivating authorities to re-evaluate building safety codes. Some measures, such as limiting the gap a window may open, or narrowing the gap between bars of balcony rails, help prevent children from climbing or hanging out of windows/balconies. They have reduced the frequency of children falling from higher floors. However, not all buildings have these features. The Child Protection Higher Committee and the Ministry of Interior Child Protection Centre are reviewing the construction safety code and setting specifications for general safety, in accordance with best international practices, pertaining especially to children's protection. "Brochures in several languages, including Arabic, English and Urdu, have been distributed to boost awareness among people regarding children's safety. They list preventive measures that families can take to protect children and prevent such incidents," said Colonel Faisal Mohammad Al Shimmari, Director of the Ministry of Interior's Child Protection Centre. New steps The Ministry of Interior's child protection centre called for covering balconies with Perspex sheets. Balconies should remain closed at all times and locked and the keys have to be kept in a place that cannot be reached by children. New measures are likely to be required and implemented. Major General Nasser Lakhraibani Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of the Office of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, announced earlier that accidents involving children have significantly increased due to negligence, lack of awareness or unimplemented safety measures. He said safety railings should be installed in balconies to prevent children from falling. Inspections Meanwhile, Colonel Mohammad Bin Naseeb Al Nuaimi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Civil Defence, said his staff inspect safety measures in buildings, especially windows which should open only up to a certain limit. "Falling Prevention Systems will be installed in all buildings to prevent further accidents. Safety rails will be installed in balconies so that no child can pass through," an official who asked not to be named told Gulf News. He said a sophisticated study by the Ministry of Interior and other government entities is under way and a new policy will be announced shortly. Recent deaths -    December 4: A three-year-old Syrian boy dies after falling out of a window of a 14th-floor apartment on Jamal Abdul Nasser Street, Sharjah. -    November 30: A four-year-old Emirati boy falls from the balcony of a 16th-floor flat in Al Sondos building in Sharjah. -    November 24: A three-year-old boy falls to his death from the window of his 14th-floor flat in Al Yarmouk Tower, near Sahar Centre, Sharjah. -    November 19: A four-year-old girl dies after falling from the window of her 15th-floor apartment in Al Qasimia area, Sharjah.