In a heartbreaking incident, almost two-year-old Exodus Eyob fell from a seventh-floor flat in Saville Green, Leeds, in July last year. His mother, Birikti Berihew, revealed at the inquest into his death that she had complained to the council multiple times about the windows, expressing concerns about their safety.
Exodus, described as a healthy and sturdy toddler, fell after climbing onto his sister’s bed near an open window. Despite a restrictor on the window, it was not engaged when the incident occurred. Berihew had requested the council to fit a secondary cable to prevent her younger children from opening the window, citing the accessibility of the restrictor to children.
The rotating window’s restrictor was considered easily accessible for children to play with. Berihew expressed her desire for a more secure device, and the inquest heard that she had complained to the council several times, emphasizing the language barrier as a potential issue.
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The tragic incident raises concerns about window safety in high-rise buildings, highlighting the need for effective measures to prevent such accidents. The inquest will likely explore the adequacy of existing safety features and the responsiveness of authorities to residents’ concerns.
This heartbreaking incident underscores the importance of ensuring robust safety measures in residential buildings, especially in cases where families raise concerns about potential hazards.
