Is putting a toddler on a leash a life saving act?

[Liberal_in_LA]

I recently recalled this when reading SFGate readers' comments on the tragic story about the toddler who fell in the fountain inside San Francisco's Hyatt Regency and died.

Many readers feel this was a freak incident and could happen to any parent who turns her back on her child for a few minutes. Others think the mother (as well as the nanny who was present) acted irresponsibly. And then there's a reader who suggests that parents of curious toddlers put their children on leashes.

jimswife writes:

When I was 18 months old in 1958 my grandmother my caregiver had me on a leash for reasons like this. People use to ask her why she leashed me like a dog and her response was " to keep her where I can see her" I thank her every day for not listening to the fools who said it was cruel to be leashed like a dog. My condolences to the family, it only takes a minute of taking your eyes off your child and they are out and running about.

werefox444 chimes in:

Yes, definitely leashes!!! I have twins and when they were toddlers (6 years ago) I always had them on a leash in public places. They sell them everywhere, babiesRus, Lullaby lane. Holding hands didn't work for me, I had to bend down to tie a shoe for one of the babies, 2 seconds later, I looked up and the other one was gone! Leashes were the perfect solution! Some one once yelled at me: "Your children aren't animals!" To which I replied, "that they aren't, BUT THEY ARE ALIVE!!!!" Poor mother, no one could have known! I hope she finds some peace!


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfmoms/detail?entry_id=78976#ixzz182tooqFo


here is the story of the toddler who died

Toddler found in San Francisco hotel fountain dies

Associated Press December 13, 2010

A toddler who wandered away from his mother and was later found unconscious in a San Francisco hotel fountain has died in the hospital.

The medical examiner's office said Monday that 18-month-old Olivier Matera died Saturday.

Police told the San Francisco Chronicle that Olivier was with his mother, nanny and 18-month-old twin sister at the Hyatt Regency last Wednesday when he went missing.


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/12/13/state/n145503S79.DTL#ixzz182uXSTzM