Teach your children
This is a very sad incident, it is a kind of grief that is very difficult for a family to come out from (“Twin tragedy for family in Dubai”, Gulf News, September 28). People are blaming many other sources and I believe that this is totally unfair. It is only us who have to be extra careful with our children and no one else. I lived on the 16th floor when my children were five-years-old and two-years-old and I harassed them so badly by
telling them real and fake stories of children and even adults falling from
balconies and windows. They were always scared and until now they cannot go to the balcony without my permission or on their own when I am not around. When such unfortunate incidents happen I always show them such news. I just wish that nothing like that happens again to anyone — it is horrifying.
From Ms Muneeba Othman
Dubai
Website comment
Tragic loss
What a tragic loss. I request the authorities to take action against managements who do not provide proper lock systems on windows. Technology is moving fast and there should be a way out to avoid such tragic incidents. My sister was a victim of such an accident from a balcony 22 years ago in Dubai and ever since I have discouraged the idea of unlocked windows. It starts at home so let us spread the awareness.
From Ms Summaya Amad
Dubai
Website comment
Eye-opener
There are no words to express the trauma of the teenage girl who witnessed this horrific accident right in front of her. I hope and pray she comes out of this. May she be given the courage and strength to overcome this loss. My heart goes out to her. This incident is an eye-opener for all those mothers who leave their children unattended. Please do not ever leave them unattended.
From Ms Sarah Rizwan
Dubai
Website comment
No one is to blame
I have not stopped crying after reading this — it is horrible. We cannot blame anyone, we just need to take responsibility and be aware of our surroundings all the time. I have two daughters whom I am constantly watching. Just picturing these incidents are enough to send chills down my spine. I pray that strength is given to the little girl and her father. This is a very bitter lesson indeed. It will take a very long time for me to recover from this.
From Ms Uma
Dubai
Website comment
Where are the rules?
There should be some revision in the building codes and rules for the height of window sills to avoid such dreadful incidents.
From Mr Shajahan
Dubai
Website comment
Unattended
Leaving children unattended at home or elsewhere is disastrous. My thoughts and prayers are with the little girl. I pray for her and her father’s comfort and courage to overcome this unfortunate incident in their life.
From Ms Jawahar Ali Meera
Dubai
Website comment
A complete shock
This is really shocking. Being a mother of a four-year-old boy I am terribly moved. I pray for the daughter’s well-being.
From Ms Beema Anzar
Dubai
Website comment
Keep them in sight
This is unbelievable. It is very tragic and my prayers are with the family. This is a request to all parents — apart from having safety measures in the building, please do not ever leave your babies unattended. No matter what happens keep them in your sight and in your reach.
From Ms Adeel
Dubai
Website comment
We need grills
I feel very sad hearing about this tragedy. May their souls rest in peace. I pray the daughter and her family have all the strength to endure this emotional phase. All buildings should be provided with window grills to prevent such tragic accidents from happening again. Building a structure in a decorative architectural manner will not suffice. I hope the authorities realise this and do the needful as soon as possible.
From Ms Lakshmi Sreeresh
Dubai
Website comment
Lessons need to be learnt
This should not happen again. The authorities should advise the people on the dos and don’ts or take action to prevent such incidents in the future. There should be metal grills on the windows that open. Our prayers are with the family.
From Mr John
UAE
Website comment
Fix the windows
This type of tragic accident could be prevented if the windows of buildings are designed properly. They should open upwards — not downwards or sideways.
The width of the opening should be fixed so the window cannot open more than 15cm — just enough for ventilation.
Our building designers should take note of this accident and amend their window opening mechanism, so it is foolproof, to avoid any accident.
From Ms S. K. Mehta
Dubai
Website comment
Do it yourself
This is an eye-opener for apartment builders, not only in Dubai but all over the world.
There should be something like a wire mesh frame to cover the opened part of the window — two precious lives could have been saved.
Residents who choose to live in places such as this apartment, especially with children, should check if there are safety measures in place. Otherwise get them installed and prevent tragedies of this nature.
From Mr Lionel
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Website comment
Pain
This is a very agonising incident. The mother must have felt deep anguish after her child’s fall and the mental pain she felt could not be expressed in words. This is such a heartbreaking incident.
From Mr Prasad
Dubai
Website comment
Unfortunate
I feel very sad for the family, especially the daughter who saw everything in front of her eyes. It was really sad. I request all families not to leave their children alone and unattended.
From M Dinesh Baria
Dubai
Website comment
Making things worse
How is this info-graphic even appropriate? The report is horrifying enough without the newspaper trivialising the matter by depicting an obviously devastating tragedy. Gulf News needs to be more sensitive to the people affected by this incident.
From Ms Effie
Kingston, Canada
Website comment
Inappropriate
This is very sad news, but I did not like the way Gulf News prepared characters [in the information graphic] and presented them in this manner. Some issues have to be taken seriously. This is a sensitive issue and should have been handled that way.
From Mr Sujesh
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
Editor’s Note: The information graphic was not meant to hurt sentiments, but to highlight the issue of child safety, which Gulf News takes very seriously. It depicted how the tragedy occurred to stress the need for more precautionary measures. If you would like to share your views or write to the newspaper, log on to gulfnews.com or email us your letters on readers@gulfnews.com