Real Estate Agent Warns Parents After a Near-Fatal Incident at an Open House
A Close Call at an Open House
A Utah realtor, Karina VanOrman, has shared a harrowing story on TikTok about a six-year-old girl who nearly died on one of her house tours. The incident occurred when the girl, who was excitedly running through the house, didn’t realize that the sliding glass door was closed and ran straight into it.
The Incident
VanOrman recalled the incident, saying, "The family had gotten there early and they had already been looking around in the yard and they were all really excited. I saw their six-year-old daughter go running from the front of the house, as fast as she could, to go running out to the backyard. And I could see that she did not realize that the sliding glass door was closed."
As the girl ran through the door, she didn’t stop herself in time, and the glass pane, which was installed in the 1970s, didn’t shatter but formed into large shards when broken. VanOrman yelled "Stop!" but it was too late. The girl ran straight into the door, and the glass shard went into her abdomen.
The Aftermath
VanOrman, who was present at the scene, quickly called for the girl not to touch the glass, but the girl, in a panic, pulled the shard out of her belly, cutting her hands severely. The little girl also had head wounds from the broken door.
VanOrman grabbed a blanket from her car and applied pressure to the girl’s stomach wound as the parents, who were in shock, called for an ambulance. The EMTs quickly realized that the girl’s wounds were serious enough to require a trip to Salt Lake City’s Children’s Hospital.
A Healthy Ending
The 6-year-old girl miraculously survived, with the glass barely missing several critical parts of her body. VanOrman reflected on the incident, saying, "I just needed to be strong in that situation. And I needed to be the one not in shock."
A Lesson Learned
After the ordeal, VanOrman sat in her car and "bawled." She later concluded, "It was a hard lesson that I learned." She now advises her clients not to bring their young kids on any house tour.
Conclusion
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety and awareness, especially in situations like open houses. VanOrman’s quick thinking and calm demeanor likely saved the girl’s life, and her story is a valuable lesson for parents and real estate agents alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happened at the open house?
A: A six-year-old girl ran into a closed sliding glass door, causing a shard of glass to go into her abdomen.
Q: What did Karina VanOrman do during the incident?
A: She called for the girl not to touch the glass, grabbed a blanket to apply pressure to the wound, and helped the parents call for an ambulance.
Q: Did the girl survive?
A: Yes, the girl miraculously survived with serious injuries.
Q: What does Karina VanOrman advise now?
A: She advises her clients not to bring their young kids on any house tour.