An Australian mother has taken to social media to share her family's traumatic experience to educate parents about shopping cart safety.
The mother, who remains anonymous, shared her story with CPR Kids, an Instagram account focused on pediatric first-aid education.
She emphasized the need for all shopping carts to be equipped with child restraints and proper braking systems. She is bent on raising awareness about this issue to prevent further injuries.
Mother shares experience of shopping cart accident
According to the New York Post, a mother recently shared a terrifying incident involving her daughter while shopping.
While the mother was strapping her son into their car, her daughter, Millie, was seated in a shopping cart.
In just two seconds, the cart blew off the curb and tipped over, causing Millie to hit her head on the pavement.
The child was rushed to the hospital, where doctors found that she had suffered a large brain bleed due to the fall.
Millie had to undergo emergency brain surgery to relieve pressure on her brain from the hemorrhagic stroke.
The mother stated that Millie was in surgery for about two hours and stayed at the pediatric ICU until the next day when she was moved to the high-acuity ward.
The family did not disclose Millie's age. However, she is doing incredibly well in her recovery. A follow-up CT scan indicated that her brain was in excellent condition.
They decreased the amount of sedation and removed the breathing tube. She was quickly passing her tests and showing signs of strength.
She is now attempting to sit up, smile, and eat. Her lively personality is beginning to emerge again.
Here's a recently shared photograph of Millie.
Shopping cart accidents like this can happen instantly and cause severe injuries to children.
The incident reminds parents always to take the necessary precautions to keep their children safe while shopping.
It is important to secure children in the cart using the provided safety belt and never leave them unattended.
Shopping cart accidents
According to Nationwide Children's, every day, parents bring their children along on shopping trips, but it can be challenging to monitor them closely while also focusing on the task at hand.
Sadly, thousands of children get hurt every year from riding in shopping carts, and injuries can occur in just a matter of seconds while parents are distracted.
However, awareness of the potential dangers and following proper safety guidelines for shopping carts can help prevent these incidents and keep children safe while shopping.
As recommended by McCue, here are some tips for parents to keep their children safe in shopping carts:
- Choose a cart with a safety belt: Look for a shopping cart with a safety belt that can secure children in place.
- Place children in the cart seat: Always place children in the designated seat area of the cart and ensure that they are seated properly.
- Do not let children stand in the cart: Children should not be allowed to stand or play in the cart as it can be dangerous.
- Parents should always keep an eye on children: Never leave children unattended in the shopping cart. Keep a close eye on them at all times.
- Avoid overloading the cart: Only put the items needed in the cart, and avoid overloading it with heavy items that can make it unstable.
By following these tips, parents can help ensure that their children stay safe while using shopping carts.
