When Shopping Carts Go Wild

... Reporting From On Scene
Incident Type:  Medical Assist

Dispatch call comes in:  "... Priority Code... at XXX shopping mall. Rescue Unit #9 respond for immediate medical assist. 28 month old male, unconscious, unresponsive to any stimulation, thoracic breathing, visible bump and cut to forehead above right eye.  Mother reports that toddler has fallen out of shopping cart..."

Every day, parents put their kids in shopping carts while they stroll the aisles of the grocery store and shopping malls, but you might be surprised to hear that's not always a good idea.  Hundreds of little tykes are treated in hospitals for shopping cart related injuries every year.

Dylan's mom learned just how quickly an accident can happen when her son Dylan reached for something on a shelf, causing the cart to tip.  Dylan immediately fell out of the cart and with the cart resting on top of him.  Dylan had to be transported to the ER.  A hard lesson to be learned is that a fall to a very hard surface, it only takes four feet or even less, and that can result in a life-threatening injury.  Many little people get injured when they reach for something or stand up in a shopping cart when their parents aren't looking, which is why many shopping carts have safety belts to keep kids strapped in and down.  Dylan wasn't strapped in, he was actually STANDING 'in' the shopping cart's basket.

I know first hand that a youngster can be up and out of the seat in seconds... even the slightest push of a cart can cause the cart to come crashing to the ground.  That's why, I don't put my own progeny in the cart.  I have seen the tragic consequences of placing little people in shopping carts.  Shopping carts are not the most stable things on wheel and as most of you know... little people are very quick and at times, very unpredictable.  I do sympathize with moms/dads that have two or more kids.  This is a problem where moms/dads with more than one child under the age of 5 don't have much choice other than to place their older toddler in the basket.  Have you ever tried pushing a shopping cart and holding a toddler's hand while they walk?  Almost impossible.

Seriously, one must stay focused and be aware of what is happening and NEVER turn your back or leave your progeny unsupervised.  Never place your child in a cart that feels uneven, leans or anything like that.  Complain to the store's management.  I have done this also.  Who knows, you may be preventing a future accident for some small child.

It would be nice to see bigger and more warning labels placed on shopping carts reminding people of the dangers of their use.  I also believe that many injuries can be prevented by using kid-friendly carts that keep children low to the ground and less at risk, something shopping cart manufacturers need to consider.  Perhaps, stores who employ 'greeters' at their entrances could remind parents how to secure their tax deductions in the carts safety, as a courtesy.

Wiping a few tears away from Dylan's cheeks, I couldn't resist whispering in his ear, "Don't worry little guy, pain heals and chicks will dig your scars!"

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        captain
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