Child slips through railing, falls, dies

[John Gromkoski]

Originally Posted by evandeven

I care far more about myself than I do someone elses' child. I watch mine, everyone else watch theirs, things will work out just fine.

Since I have a 3 year old child, I have come to the conclusion, that the parents main job is to keep the child alive until they are an adult, or 18 years old, whichever comes first. And trust me, these little critters seem to find new and creative ways to do themselves in, almost on a daily basis.

You think that your purpose as an HI is to protect your arse first, more than it is to write up a safety issue to protect a life?? WOW!

[Eric C. Van De Ven]

Originally Posted by jgromkoski

You think that your purpose as an HI is to protect your arse first, more than it is to write up a safety issue to protect a life?? WOW!

Yes, I do. And the reason is very simple. If I do everything to protect my interests, my clients are protected.

I equate it to this example:
Child seats are required to have a 5-point safety harness, very similar to what you find in all professional race cars.
The driver has a lap belt.
If the driver doesn't crash, we don't have to worry about what may happen to the child. The problem is that several individuals do not pay attention to what they are doing behind the wheel, which necessitates more safety devices to protect them from themselves.

The old Volkswagon Squareback that my parents used to cart us around in, had no seat belts. Somehow, we managed to survive!
It might have something to do with the fact than in nearly 100 years of combined driving, neither of my parents have ever been in an accident.

I am not one who believes in the "let's make everything safe for the kids" mentality that has gripped this country in the last 15 years or so.
Things you will not find in our home:
1) Child locks of any kind on anything.
2) Receptacle covers of any kind.
3) A pool fence
4) Any other safety device specifically designed for children.

The reasoning is, that when little Marshall goes over to someone elses' home, who do not have those items, like grandparents, friends without kids, etc., he is not tempted to explore these new found items.

He was taught at a very early age, the meaning of the word no.
In his three years of existence, he has not fallen into the pool, and if he did, he would pop right up and swim to the edges as he has been taught, stuck anything in any receptacle, or, attempted to escape as other children have.

It is not the safety device, code official, or anyone elses' responsibility to protect the child. It is the parent, plain and simple.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by rcooke

I am saying you are wrong again .
5-6 years old You are hoping for the impossible

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian A. MacNeish
Up until 5-6 years old, they say to NEVER take your eyes off them!!

It may be impossible but the more you have your eyes on them the less chance of a tragedy such as previously mentioned. Even with properly spaced balusters, an unattended 3-4-5 year old child could push a chair up to the railing and climb......eyes are always better!!!

[jguillen]

For my knowledge on building codes yes it has been since early as 1997 in the u.b.c. in the irc building planning chapter 3 and ibc the 4 inch max space between ballusters cbc chapter 10 handrails form southern ca Jose A. Guillen ICC building inspector.

[jguillen]

Ted this is not a new safety code it has been in the code for many years what happened it was not enforced on the hotel railing unfortunately until some human being paid the price in this sad case a child it will now be enforced like many other code violations existing also some home inspectors do not have thorough code knowledge like building inspectors do and even so things can be overseen, i live in southern california ICC certified residential and building inspector Jose A. Guillen

[Frank Magdefrau]

Originally Posted by gfarnsworth

As inspectors, any stair gap over 6 inches on a stairway gets written up despite the age of the structure. Wether or not it gets repaired is another story. People should be responsible for watching children also. Are you an attorney?

Agree and 4" on guardrails.

I have been a parent for over 17 years and it is impossible for any human to watch them 100% of the time.

[Frank Magdefrau]

Originally Posted by jbraun

I believe the old standard was 6 inches. That just tells you how old Gary is.

Gary was not talking about rail/baluster gaps.

[Frank Magdefrau]

Originally Posted by Brian A. MacNeish

Up until 5-6 years old, they say to NEVER take your eyes off them!!

"They" are total dumb-asses. Keep your eye on them up until you are dead.