3-year-old boy survives fall from 6th floor

The boy had been playing on the sofa in the living room when he somehow fell out a window behind the couch.

Playing on a settee near a window and he fell out? Incredible. I've got no idea how that could have happened. Completely unpredictable.

Best wishes to the poor boy for a quick recovery. It is definitely a miracle that he survived. I just hope the family reflects on their luck and take the necessary measures to ensure this accident does not repeat in future.

Lucky, lucky kid. Hope he recovers OK.

I'm disgusted by the constant stream of similar accidents involving children falling to their deaths, or nearly dying, from apartment buildings. How on Earth does this keep happening and why does nobody seem to bother to do anything about it? The one thing Japan needs more of - children - literally falling out the windows and dying, at an honestly alarming rate - and there are no public awareness campaigns or anything to help try and prevent this?

The boy had been playing on the sofa in the living room when he somehow fell out a window behind the couch.

Of course he did. It was sweltering hot yesterday.

another youngster falling from a high apartment, this one lucky though.

It amazes me the number of kids who survive the falls from high rise apartments. Not all of them make it, but I am glad to hear some happy endings.

How on Earth does this keep happening

Because a huge portion of the population lives in apartment buildings

and why does nobody seem to bother to do anything about it?

How do you know they don't?

I was talking to a couple the other day who just had their second baby (the first child is nearly two, now) and we talked about how they were happy, and excited, but also a little bit stressed about having to go through all the things you need to with a new baby (late night crying, diapers diapers diapers -- although the older child still needs them -- breast feeding, etc.). I asked them if their house was still child-proofed from their first baby or whether they would have to do it again soon and I got a total deer-in-headlights look. And it wasn't a matter of translation -- they had no idea what child-proofing means. In fact, I have never met anyone who uses the plug inserts to block electrical outlets, covers sharp corners of furniture, etc., although I HAVE met people with gate-like thingies to block access to the stairs. It's no WONDER we hear about this two or three times a week; a sofa just in front of a window in a high apartment building?? I guess it was easy enough for them to throw common sense out that window when they put the sofa there. Thank the gods, and not the parents at all, that the kid landed on the hedge and survived. He's not really old enough to know that it could easily happen again if he's not careful, so hopefully the parents have learned.

so hopefully the parents have learned.

Highly unlikely.

In fact, I have never met anyone who uses the plug inserts to block electrical outlets, covers sharp corners of furniture, etc.

I have. Every single one of my wife's friends have them in their house. Go to Aka-chan honpo : they've got all sorts of stuff like that and they always sell well.

bicultural: "I have. Every single one of my wife's friends have them in their house. Go to Aka-chan honpo : "

First I've heard of it (them being sold and people here using them, not the store). I'll mention it next time I come across friends who are having or have had a baby or already have a young child. Do they also sell common-sense booklets about not making your balcony or areas in front of windows into a climbing gym?

Smith: I have seen child-proofing at most Japanese households I have visited. Go to any baby shop or 100 yen store and you'll find them (Electrical plug covers, table corner covers, cabinet door locks, window and door latches, etc.). As bicultural mentioned, they sell well. There are always going to be people who miss out on the parenting 101 common sense course, in Japan or any other country. Please by all means help your friends out with a little advice...

Smith: I have seen child-proofing at most Japanese households I have visited. Go to any baby shop or 100 yen store and you'll find them (Electrical plug covers, table corner covers, cabinet door locks, window and door latches, etc.). As bicultural mentioned, they sell well. There are always going to be people who miss out on the parenting 101 common sense course, in Japan or any other country

True. Japan is among the top in Child safety as per UNICEF report so what smith described is an exception rather than the norm. I never understood the mindset of an individual who uses this type of 'news' as some sort of sign that Japanese parents in general are lacking in common sense.

My daughter fell out on our window she was looking other children playing outside, thanks GOD she's ok and sounds .... , lucky we live on the first floor .....

Its about time apartments, by law, come lined with styrofoam pads around them rather than hedges.

I hesitate to call this boy lucky. There is no mention of brain damage and indeed, it may be too early to tell.

@smithinjapan don't thank god, thank the guy that planned a hedge there, and thank the one that planted it there!