Kindercare Admits Safety Failure After Chemical Burns Incident in Christchurch Childcare; Seven Hospitalized

Kindercare Admits Safety Failure After Chemical Burns Incident in Christchurch

A serious safety lapse at a Kindercare childcare facility in Woolston, Christchurch, led to seven individuals, including five children, suffering chemical burns after a corrosive substance was mistakenly used on a slip and slide. The company has since issued a candid admission of its failure to uphold its fundamental safety values, prompting a full internal investigation and an inquiry by WorkSafe.

The Incident: Chemical Confusion Leads to Injuries

The alarming incident unfolded on a Friday afternoon when emergency services were urgently summoned to the Kindercare center. It appears a chemical, normally designated for use in a kitchen steriliser, was tragically confused with standard dishwashing liquid. This corrosive product was then poured onto a children's slip and slide, causing immediate irritation and blistering upon contact.

Fire and Emergency Woolston senior station officer John Herriot described the scene, noting that teachers had set up a waterslide for the children's enjoyment when the unfortunate misidentification occurred. The rapid response from St John Ambulance saw 40 patients assessed on site, with seven requiring hospitalisation – five children and two Kindercare employees. Thankfully, all those admitted to Christchurch Hospital were discharged by late Saturday morning.

Kindercare's Response and Investigations

In the aftermath, Kindercare’s chief executive and regional manager promptly traveled to Christchurch. In a letter addressed to parents, the company expressed deep regret, acknowledging its failure to maintain the expected safety standards. They stated that the chemical involved is commonly used across many of their centers, typically stored securely in a kitchen cupboard or laundry, and directly plumbed into sterilisation units. The immediate focus for Kindercare is to determine how this chemical was removed from its secure storage and ended up in a play activity.

St John national operations manager Chris Harrison confirmed that patients had sustained chemical burns and blisters. He also noted that parents, while understandably upset, maintained a pragmatic outlook on the challenging situation. With both Kindercare and WorkSafe launching comprehensive investigations, the community awaits answers regarding the circumstances that led to this regrettable breach of safety.