Toddler suffers burns at Capel Curig hostel

Aug 28 2008 by Samantha Castle, North Wales Weekly News

Toddler suffers burns at Capel Curig hostel

AN investigation is underway after a 15-month-old girl suffered burns at a Conwy Valley youth hostel.

North Wales Fire Service was called to the Youth Hostel Association’s Plas Curig site in Capel Curig on Tuesday afternoon after a young girl was burnt during an accident with a kitchen gas cooker.

The toddler was staying at the hostel with her parents when she suffered minor burns to her face and left hand while in the self catering kitchen.

An ambulance was called and the girl was treated by paramedics at the scene and transferred with her family to Ysbyty Gwynedd.

YHA spokesman Duncan Simpson said the association takes the health and safety of guests seriously and a review of procedures has been launched.

“Our sympathy goes to the young girl and to her family and friends who were travelling with her. We are pleased she was discharged from hospital and returned to the hostel on Tuesday evening and was out sightseeing with her family the following day,” he said.

“YHA takes the health and safety of guests seriously. The gas appliances at the property were serviced last week as part of routine arrangements. The correct procedures were followed and the incident will be reviewed by our health and safety team as part of these procedures.”

North Wales Fire Service is warning of the possible dangers of using gas cooking appliances following the incident. Fire safety officer Alan Williams said: “Gas cooking appliances can be dangerous if they are not used with the utmost care.

“In this incident it appears the young girl involved was with her parents in the kitchen area of the hostel preparing some food.

“While turning on the appliance to cook, one of her parents seems accidentally to have turned on two gas rings instead of one, which caused too much gas in the atmosphere for a normal ignition.

“The surplus gas then appears to have caused a minor flashover, which caused the injuries to the young girl. It is very important that people take great care while cooking and follow fire safety precautions.”

To register for a free home fire safety check call 0800 169 1234 or visit www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk