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The Star
2 days ago
- Health
- The Star
High-rise tragedies show a systemic failure to ensure child safety, says children's commissioner
PETALING JAYA: Recent fatal falls from high-rise buildings involving children reflect a prevalent failure to prioritise their safety in the home, says the Suhakam children's commissioner. Dr Farah Nini Dusuki said such cases could have been prevented with proper safety measures in place, coupled with awareness and enforcement of safety regulations. "These back-to-back tragedies are not isolated accidents," she said in a statement on Friday (June 6). ALSO READ: Safer high-rises for kids "They are preventable deaths that starkly expose the failure to implement essential safety measures in high-rise residential buildings. "These children did not have to die," she added. She said the recent cases were a direct consequence of a systemic failure to prioritise child safety where it matters most – in the home. "As a party to the (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child, Malaysia is duty-bound to protect every child's right to life, development, and protection from foreseeable harm. ALSO READ: Four-year-old boy dies after fall from 30th-floor of Bukit Jalil apartment "A safe home environment is not a luxury. "Providing a safe home environment is a legal and moral obligation," she said. Her remarks follow the death of a four-year-old boy who is believed to have fallen from the 30th-floor balcony of an apartment in Bukit Jalil on Thursday (June 5) morning. On May 21, a seven-year-old girl fell from the 29th floor of a condominium in Puchong, Subang Jaya. On May 17, a boy aged two years and eight months died after falling from the seventh floor of a public housing unit in Precinct 9, Putrajaya. ALSO READ: Seven-year-old girl dies after falling from Puchong condo The Star had previously highlighted the dangers posed to children living in high-rise buildings and suggestions by child activists on how to better ensure their safety. Dr Farah called in both Federal and state authorities, including stakeholders, to urgently implement measures to prevent further tragedies. Among them, she said, were enacting specific laws to enhance child safety in high-rise residential buildings. "This includes making it mandatory for all apartment and flat units, including rental units, to be equipped with safety grilles or protective mesh on windows and balconies. "Additionally, minimum safety design standards for child-friendly high-rise units must be established under existing building laws or regulations," she said. ALSO READ: Boy dies in fall from seventh floor of Putrajaya housing block At present, under the Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 (UBBL), balcony railings of residential high-rise buildings cannot be less than 1m or 1,000mm in height, but local authorities can impose stricter requirements. However, it is mandatory for window grilles to be installed in residential high-rise buildings under the UBBL, although it could be regulated by the building's management or voluntarily installed by the owners. "Current building design for child safety standards must be reviewed and integrated as mandatory requirements in all high-rise residential developments," Dr Farah said. She also called on local authorities to conduct regular and strict compliance inspections of high-rise units, especially rental properties, to ensure compliance with child safety standards and features. "To all parents, while we push for reforms to take place, in the meantime, vigilance is key. "If you live in a high-rise residence, never leave young children unattended, and ensure safety measures are installed," she added.
The Star
26-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Safer high-rises for kids
Safety first: Experts are calling for measures to be taken to curb accidental falls, especially of children, from high-rise buildings. Photo posed by a model. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star Experts reignite calls for better protection in dwellings PETALING JAYA: Two recent fatalities involving children in high-rise residential buildings have reignited calls for enhanced safety regulations, with a focus on balconies and window grilles. Experts have called for a review of the relevant local government by-laws to make such dwellings safe for toddlers and other young children. Children's Commissioner to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) Dr Farah Nini Dusuki said the two deaths which occurred within three days made the issue more pressing, with past statistics not to be overlooked. ALSO READ: More than just a view in Singapore and London 'Besides reviewing the existing by-law on balcony height, installing window grilles or netting for high-rise accommodation should be made mandatory. 'The protection of children must override aesthetic considerations,' she said when contacted. On May 17, a two-year-old boy fell to his death from the seventh floor balcony of a public housing flat in Precinct 9, Putrajaya. Following this, a seven-year-old girl who was believed to have climbed out of a window fell to her death from the 29th floor of her babysitter's condominium in Puchong on May 20. Under the Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 (UBBL), balcony railings of residential high-rise buildings cannot be less than a metre or 1,000mm, but local authorities can impose stricter requirements. CLICK TO ENLARGE It is also not mandatory for window grilles to be installed in residential high-rise buildings under the UBBL, although it could be regulated by the building's management or voluntarily installed by the owners. Child activist Datuk Dr Amar Singh HSS agreed that current by-laws were inadequate in preventing accidental falls involving children at high-rise residences. He said what was needed were by-laws that mandated high-rise residential buildings to be fall-proof for children. 'The UBBL should explicitly address child safety in high-rise dwellings,' he said. The paediatrician suggested mandatory installation of invisible grilles at balconies made from strong stainless steel cables that provide a barrier without obstructing the view. (Invisible grilles are a type of safety grille designed to provide protection without blocking the view or significantly altering the appearance of a window or balcony and typically made of thin, high-tensile stainless steel cables spaced closely together to create a barrier.) Dr Amar also proposed window restrictors to limit the maximum opening of windows to between 10cm and 12cm as well as childproof locks on balcony and sliding doors, and windows. 'Accidental falls from high-rise buildings are posing a threat to children's safety, especially with high-rise living becoming more common. 'Young children are naturally curious but may underestimate the danger. 'In addition, cartoon and TV shows on superheroes may give them a false sense of safety,' he pointed out. Dr Amar said constant supervision by parents and caregivers was important although he accepted that it was difficult to keep an eye on children all the time. 'Parents should evaluate the risk of their high-rise apartments and remove all furniture near windows and balconies so that they do not aid children in climbing,' he said. Dr Amar also suggested that the government provide assistance, mainly to the B40 community who live in flats, to child-proof windows and balconies. Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said present by-laws on high-rise residential buildings which did not take into account child safety must be reviewed. 'The design of high-rise buildings are more on aesthetics rather that safety. It does not take into account aspects of children prone to playing along corridors. 'The current by-laws must be relooked to address safety concerns involving children,' he said. Lee suggested the installation of motion- sensing CCTVs at all floors of high-rise buildings which will allow security teams to raise an alert if children were at risk. 'This may involve cost, but it is something worth spending on if it can prevent the loss of life,' he added.
