There have been too many accidents involving children falling from balconies and out of windows of high-rise apartments. It may no longer be appropriate to rely on individual precautions, but rather to mandate safety measures by law.

Reminds me of the picture, "Gin Lane" by William Hogarth. Instead of gin, people are addicted to smart phones, and neglect their children in the process. We can see it every day. Maybe a program of weaning people of them would help children's safety and development potential.

Gotta protect people from themselves. Can’t rely on common sense anymore.

Ya think? Only been 30 years + if this happening to come to this conclusion. Sadly, there will only be discussion to do something for the next couple of decades.

No chance at all right from the beginning. They always find a way against any of those measures. Every parent knows that from own experience. Recently a toddler even easily entered White House area.

Lots of people live in two story houses with young children. Such houses have windows and often balconies. Presumably falling out of any upstairs window would still be a serious accident and potentially fatal for a young child. Does it happen with the same frequency in houses as in high rises? Is there something specific about high rises that makes it more likely for children to climb over balconies or through windows?

Our house has one upstairs window at floor level, that room is under a sloped roof and it was the only place for the window to go, but we nailed a wooden screen over the window when our children were little.

He recommends the installation of stoppers etc.

I'm sure he also recommends closing stable doors after the horse has bolted.

New laws and codes will not be in retrospective so probably education is better.

Is there something specific about high rises that makes it more likely for children to climb over balconies or through windows?

I guess in houses, it's easier for kids to go directly outside. There's perhaps less fascination with looking out of windows. I'd be interested to know whether there are more accidents from apartment windows that fall directly to the ground than from balconies. We lived on the 12th floor of an apartment when out daughter was about three. There was a balcony but no windows that fell directly to the ground. It felt quite safe. But I know I'd be uncomfortable myself in an apartment where there was a window with nothing outside to prevent a fall.

Regarding balconies, is there a difference between those with solid walls and those with railings that you can see through? Our 12th floor balcony had railings, and so our three-year old probably has no inclination or need to climb up and see over. It may have been different if there was a solid wall.