Several days later, Ms Cashmore took her daughter back to A&E, where doctors found the burn had penetrated the nerves in her hand, so Charlize was referred to a specialist at Waikato Hospital for an operation.
The burn happened at the beginning of December but Ms Cashmore will not know until they return to the hospital after Christmas whether Charlize will need another operation.
The concerned mum wants to warn others about the danger.
Ms Cashmore drives a Dodge Journey which, like many modern cars, has slim alloy wheels where the brake discs are more exposed than on older cars that typically have a solid steel rim.
"You can imagine any little one of her age and how they are. They run here and there," she said. "She went to climb up and didn't put her hand in the right place.
"It's just not something you think about. We all think about the fire, barbecue, oven, but I would never have thought her hand would go there. I'm not saying people have to be overly protective - it's just being aware."
Automobile Association motoring advice manager Andrew Bayliss described the incident as a "pretty unusual circumstance".
"We take phone calls all day every day about everything surrounding motoring and I'd have to say this is the first time I've had a question put to me about a child putting their hand through the wheel and burning it on the brake disc," he said.
"It's just one of those freak things. People just need to be aware."
Mr Bayliss said brake discs could stay hot for up to 10 minutes.
Tauranga Mag and Turbo owner Dianne Morgan said she had not heard of burns from brake discs, despite increasingly popular alloy wheels meaning the discs were more exposed.
Each year, ACC receives reports of more than 3500 children who suffer moderate to severe injuries.
ACC figures show vehicles account for one in five child fatalities. Falls in the home are the most common cause of injuries to youngsters.
-APN
Tips for keeping children safe at Christmas
*If you are having a party, ensure you have at least one sober person to supervise your children, or arrange a babysitter before the event.
*If your child is having a sleepover at a friend's home, ask yourself how well you know this family. Have you actually met them? Make sure your child knows that if they feel worried or unsafe they can ring you and you will come and get them.
*Before children go to any activities, such as movies or swimming, discuss personal safety skills with them. Make a firm plan and make sure they are clear about who will pick them up, where and when.
*What is their safety plan if they are worried about something? If you are camping in any public camping ground you need to make sure you know where your children are at all times, particularly regarding toileting, showering, sleeping and social activities.
*Set up some rules so you know where your children are. How regularly are they required to check in with you?
*Take time to fully understand any electronic game your child might receive at Christmas as some games may look innocent and harmless but are actually violent and inappropriate for children.
*When hiring DVDs check the age restriction. If older children are babysitting (remember the legal age is 14 years) what are the rules about any DVDs they may watch while undertaking their babysitting duties?
*Monitor daily what your children have accessed on the internet.
Source - childmatters.org.nz
