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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.

RealAge Projection: If kids get into the habit of enjoying a diverse mix of foods, they're likely to maintain this eating style as adults. And by getting 4 servings of fruit and vegetables per day as an adult, they could look and feel as much as 4 years younger at age 40.

RealAge Smart Search: Prevent grocery store meltdowns by taking along healthy snacks for your child.
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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!

Originally published on 09/03/2007.

Tip References: Shopping-cart-related injuries to children. Smith, G. A.; Committee on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics 2006 Aug;118(2):e540-e544.

Good Kids, Bad Habits: The RealAge Guide to Raising Healthy Children. Trachtenberg, J., New York: HarperCollins, 2007.
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