Warning to Parents After Several Children Fall From Balconies. One Dies.

A 13-year-old British schoolboy has died after falling from a sixth-floor hotel balcony while on holidays with his family in Spain.

Media reports confirm that the tragic event happened at a hotel on the Costa del Sol at about 1.30pm (local time) yesterday.

The resort town of Fuengirola, on the Costa del Sol in Spain, is a popular holiday destination for British tourists.

Several media sources report that the child was holidaying with his family and that his mother was with him when he accidentally fell from the sixth floor and landed on an internal patio.

According to reports, paramedics were called to the scene and tried to treat the boy, but efforts to revive him failed.

While investigators are looking into the boy’s death, the fall is not considered to be suspicious.

However, it does act as a reminder to parents to be vigilant.

Another Child Falls from Balcony

Just a few weeks ago, a toddler fell from a sixth-storey apartment balcony in China.

Video footage circulated that showed the three-year-old clinging to the edge of the balcony in the Chinese city of Chongqing.

In this scenario, onlookers notice the child dangling. Quick-thinking residents, members of the public and apartment building staff rush to the sidewalk and set up a blanket to catch the toddler. Or at the very least, soften the fall.

Thankfully their efforts work. Shortly after the toddler loses its grip and falls but is safely caught.

Preventing Kids From falling From a Balcony or Window

Many Aussie children are admitted to the hospital every year with serious injuries after falling from a balcony or window.

Both these instances in the news are a reminder of the importance of being aware of strategies and actions that can help prevent a child from falling from a balcony or window.

Children aged from one to five years are most at risk, as they are naturally curious and don’t recognise danger. However, as this latest tragic case shows, parents need to be cautious with children of all ages.

The Children’s Hospital at Westmead offers the following safety tips.

Balcony safety:

Balcony balustrades (railings) be at least 1metre high.
Any vertical bars in the balustrade are no more than 12.5cm apart (use a ruler to measure).
Your balustrade should have no horizontal or near horizontal parts that would allow children to climb.
All furniture, pot plants and other climbable objects are kept away from the edge of the balcony.
Parents should be aware of furniture that is light enough for children to drag to the balcony edge.
Children should always be supervised.
Keep doors leading to balconies closed so that children cannot gain access to them.

Window safety:

All windows which are 2m above ground level should have window locks/latches fitted to stop them opening more than 12.5cm, or guards should be installed to protect the opening.
Where possible, open windows from the top.
Beds and other furniture should be kept away from windows, so that children cannot climb up to windows.
Children should be taught to play away from windows.
Children should always be supervised.
Do not rely on flyscreens to prevent a child from falling out of a window. F

Looking for more news stories?