A daycare center (kinderdagverblijf/KDV) in the Rotterdam region was evacuated on Tuesday after staff detected a gas smell in the building. To get the children outside quickly and safely, the youngest children were wheeled out into the street in their cribs. The incident was reported by Rijnmond.
Swift evacuation
When a gas smell is detected in a building, acting fast is essential. Staff at the daycare center followed the required safety procedures by immediately evacuating the premises and taking the children with them. Since the youngest children cannot yet walk on their own, they were brought outside in their cribs or prams — a sight that drew attention in the street.
Emergency services were called in to measure gas levels and assess the situation. Based on available reports, no further details are yet known about the cause of the gas smell or whether an actual gas leak was confirmed.
Safety protocols at childcare centers
Daycare centers are legally required to have an evacuation plan in place and to practice it regularly. In emergencies such as fire, gas leaks, or other hazards, staff must know how to get all children out of the building quickly and safely. The Fire Service and the Municipal Health Service (GGD) review these protocols during inspections.
- Every daycare center must have an up-to-date evacuation plan
- Evacuation drills are mandatory and must be carried out periodically
- In the event of a gas smell: do not operate any electrical switches, leave the building immediately, and call 112
- Parents must be informed as quickly as possible in the event of an emergency
What does this mean for parents?
Incidents like this highlight how important it is for childcare locations to be well prepared for emergencies. As a parent, you can ask your daycare center about their evacuation plan and how you will be notified in the event of an emergency. Most locations communicate via an app or phone call as soon as something happens.
Want to check whether a daycare center meets safety requirements? You can view the inspection reports of all registered childcare locations in the Netherlands on the National Childcare Register (Landelijk Register Kinderopvang/LRK).