Nadia Ellis, of Wanaka, told the Otago Daily Times yesterday she visited Urban Grind cafe, in Ardmore St, on Tuesday with her son Lincoln and allowed him to play in an empty space between their table and some stairs.
"All of a sudden he started crying.
‘‘I couldn't figure out what would have caused him to start crying like that.''
Ms Ellis said she saw a series of floor lights along the wall and when she touched them found they were ‘‘absolutely burning hot''.
She took Lincoln to the Wanaka Lakes Health Centre with burns to his fingers and palm and ‘‘in a real state''.
He was in pain for two days and required painkillers.
After posting her experience on Facebook ‘‘at least two other mothers confirmed their children had been burnt'' in a similar way, Ms Ellis said.
Cafe owner Gavin Humphrey said he only became aware of the problem yesterday morning when contacted by the electrician who had installed the three or four 35W halogen lights more than four years ago, and had read Ms Ellis' post.
Mr Humphrey said the lights would be replaced with LED lamps yesterday afternoon.
Ms Ellis notified WorkSafe New Zealand of the incident and a spokeswoman said yesterday the department would make inquiries into the incident.
WorkSafe did not have specific guidance on lights in cafes and bars but under the Health and Safety in Employment Act, cafes and bars were obligated to ensure patrons were not exposed to harm.
