Shopping Cart Accidents and Safety

Buckle up, and not just in the car : Shopping Cart Accidents and Safety 

    When you think of injuries and catching germs, shopping carts may not come to mind, but they should. “The last Consumer Product Safety Commission report estimated 1,700 children under age five being treated in emergency rooms nationwide for falls from shopping carts,” reports Jan Stegelman, director of Safe Kids Kansas. When you are well-informed, use common sense and keep an eye on your child, shopping becomes a pleasant experience with fewer risks. 

    Supervise your child so he does not have an avoidable accident. Remember that he is in the cart because he is not able to walk the store alone, but do allow him to take part in the shopping experience. “Give him a can of tomato soup and have him reach his hand behind to put it in the cart without turning around,” recommends Deb Bumgardner of the Mother & Child Health Coalition. This is a way to keep his mind and hands busy. Remember that supervision means being able to see your child at all times--it only takes a moment for him to climb and fall. 

    Buckle up, and not just in the car. Children are curious and can easily maneuver themselves dangerously out of the cart. “The head is the heaviest part of the body on a child, so it goes down first. If a child is in the big part of the cart, he loves to climb and it is easy for him to hop out of the cart,” warns Mary Ryan, nurse practitioner for Kansas City Family Medical Care. 

    Although it may seem fun, do not allow him to ride on the outside of the cart or put his carrier on top of the cart, as it may fall. The cart may look stable, but it is not. “Do not allow your child to ride in the basket part because the weight is not going to be distributed properly for that,” explains Stegelman. Placing an infant carrier on top of the shopping cart for convenience can be equally dangerous. 

    The American Academy of Pediatrics stresses the importance of an adult’s pushing the cart and not trusting another child to do so. “Make sure your child is in front of you,” reminds Joe Pippins, founder of www.Safetyn.com, Olathe. That organization advises using a stroller or alternative to a shopping cart if possible and shopping over the internet, which offers the benefits of good health, safety and convenience.

Shopping carts can pose a health hazard as well. Although your hands may be clean, the person who used the cart before you may not have good hygiene. Study swabs showed the presence of E. coli, salmonella and staph germs on the carts that you touch, according to Ryan. Carrying hand sanitizing wipes in your purse is a god idea in case the store does not provide them or you can bring a cart liner. “Washing your hands when you get home hugely reduces infection,” assures Ryan. You and your child can have a safe and healthy experience the next time you go shopping.