Falls from Shopping Carts Cause Head Injuries to Children

CPSC Document #5075

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Falls from shopping carts are among the leading causes of head injuries to young children. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimated that in recent years there were about 12,800 hospital emergency room-treated injuries annually to children 5 years and under associated with shopping carts. Of those, 5,700 were head injuries. About 25 percent were more serious head injuries such as concussions and fractures. These products are often used in hardware stores, drugstores, toy stores, and grocery stores.

To prevent falls from shopping carts:

• Use seatbelts to restrain your child in the cart seat.

• Don't allow your child to ride in the cart basket.

• Don't allow your child to ride or climb on the sides or front of the cart.

• Don't allow an older child to push the cart with another child in it.