Residents of Kisii Town were dumbstruck by an incident where a baby crawled out of a window on the topmost floor of a house adjoining the Masaba Building.
According to footage obtained by Kenyans.co.ke on Tuesday, December 8, the child was seen stranded on the ledge of the fourth-floor window. The incident occurred on Sunday, December 6.
Eyewitnesses could be heard screaming and calling for assistance as the baby dangerously crawled on the ledge which was barely a metre wide.
Rescue efforts commenced immediately when horrified individuals outside the flats sounded an alarm. The rescuers who were within the flat then risked their lives while attempting to save the infant.
The child was also confused by the ongoing commotion and kept looking back at the rescuers until one caught his attention and whisked him to safety.
The man who was praised for his heroic efforts convinced the baby to stand slowly and carefully on the narrow ledge while facing the wall. He then asked the infant to lift his arms.
At that point, he grabbed the child who was not aware of the danger with the onlookers bursting into cheers and applause.
Reports alleged that the child, believed to be a little over one year old, had been left unattended.
Children's’ rights activists advocate against leaving a baby or child unattended to and without a guardian. However many parents or carers struggle with competing demands every day, and short-term memory is vulnerable while under pressure.
One tends to forget or assume important roles and activities when the memory is overloaded, has new tasks or is distracted.
Unfortunately, some results can be devastating. Several parents who spoke to Kenyans.co.ke recounted how leaving their children unattended for just a few minutes was almost catastrophic, albeit not as bad as a child climbing out of a 4th-floor window.
Two parents confessed that their children had swallowed medicine while one recounted rushing the daughter to hospital ride after she inserted chalk in her nose.
Many parents nowadays are baby-proofing their homes in a bid to ensure the safety of their children. This involves making an environment or home safe for children. It reduces risks to a level considered acceptable by a society, an institution, or to specific parents.
Childproofing may include restriction of babies to safe areas or preventing them from reaching unsafe areas. This can be done by parents or professionals.
