Dangers Down Aisle 10

Including your kids on grocery store outings is a great idea. Putting them in the cart isn't.

A stunning 24,000 kids wound up in the emergency room in 2005 as a result of shopping-cart accidents. If possible, don't put your child in the front seat of the regular wire carts. They are designed with a high center of gravity and can easily tip over, even when a child is properly seated. Instead, look for carts with molded plastic seats attached to them (they often look like race cars). These carts are a bit bulky, but the seating is low to the ground, which makes them far safer.

If you're shopping with a baby, don't put the infant carrier on top of the shopping cart. Instead, use a strap-on chest carrier that holds your baby against your body, leaving your arms free. If your children are old enough to maneuver a kid-sized cart around the store, ask them to fill it with five items from your grocery list. This will give them the power to make some decisions about food, which makes healthy eating easier and more enjoyable for everyone. Just be sure to teach them the rules of the road -- or aisles -- first!