Baby suffers burns in restaurant accident, sparking online debate

A baby suffered second-degree burns after coming into contact with hot water from a kettle while her parents dined at a local restaurant. The event has ignited a heated discussion online about the allocation of blame between the restaurant's staff and the parents.

The parents shared the ordeal on social media, detailing how the accident occurred shortly after they returned from a playgroup and decided to eat at a nearby restaurant known for its Shanghainese cuisine. 

They had informed the staff about the baby stroller and were advised to bring it inside. 

While the mother was away in the toilet and the father was settling in, their daughter reached for a kettle placed perilously close to her stroller. The lid fell, spilling hot water over her lower body and shoes of her father, who was nearby.

Reacting swiftly, the father moved the stroller away from the danger and sought help from a server while calling for an ambulance. 

The post, which included post-treatment photos of the baby and was tagged to the restaurant, which operates three branches in the New Territories, quickly went viral.

The father expressed his frustration in the post, noting that the server mentioned the kettle had been placed within easy reach near the stroller. He also sought advice from netizens on experienced doctors for treating burns and methods to minimize scarring.

Online reactions were mixed, with many pointing out that while the restaurant staff should have ensured that hazardous items like the hot kettle were kept out of reach of children, the parents also bore some responsibility for not thoroughly checking their immediate surroundings.