PSA: Car seats and shopping carts

MuseumMaven · August 2012

The "Getting Out" post below had a lot of responses that mentioned putting a car seat on top of a grocery cart. While people do this all of the time, it's really, really not safe. Here's a blog entry that describes all of the reasons, complete with illustrations:

https://treadingragingwaters.blogspot.com/2012/06/shopping-with-baby.html?m=1

Still don't believe it isn't safe? Check out the news story about a 3 month old baby who died when the car seat fell off of the shopping cart:

https://macon.13wmaz.com/news/news/58804-infant-dies-after-falling-out-shopping-cart

I'll be honest - until a friend sent me this information, I had no idea it was unsafe and used to do it, too.

Alternatives?

-Put one car seat in the basket and wear the other baby

- Use a stroller and pull the cart (what I usually did until we could do double carts)

- Use the stroller and put all of your stuff in the basket or in shopping bags that you carry (good for quick trips).

AmyJoy728 · August 2012

Agreed. Since I found out how un-safe it is, I side-eye parents I see (esp with a singleton!) that do it.

Lilystar82 · August 2012

Totally agree. We had an accident around my area where a baby died because of this. It's so preventable. I used a stroller and pulled my cart, yes it was a PITA, but safe.

violaplayer · August 2012

I used to manage a front end for Albertsons. It makes me cringe every time I see a car seat in the seat of a cart. I saw a cart flip with a baby on top once. It was one of the most horrifying things I've ever seen.

Mrs. Alice · August 2012

Yes

My carseats don't even fit the top of the cart, but I didn't really know it was a no-no either until I was on TB. The sad thing is I see it at least 2-3 times every time I go out shopping. I used to go shopping with my mom or DH and we would each push a cart with the seat inside. Now I either use the double stroller and put all my stuff in the basket or use one of the double seat shopping carts.

ColleenS629 · August 2012

I always cringe when I see people doing this. I want to say something because they probably just don't know any better but I don't want to overstep.

flgator · August 2012

agree. Like others have said, I still see it happen.

srbmvp · August 2012

I honestly had no idea until I saw this mentioned here on TB. We used to do it all the time with DS1, thank goodness he was never hurt.... I am definitely never going to do it with the babies, I will either push and pull the stroller and cart, or wear one baby and put the other seat in the basket. Sooo scary.

Oh and what's really scary? Our local Target has the new shopping carts that you really can't put a carseat onto.... I see parents balancing the car seat perpendicular on the sides of the basket out in front. Waaaay dangerous!

jquirke9881 · August 2012

Thanks for posting. I think a lot of people don't know. I know I didn't.

Breezy8407 · August 2012

I didn't know this, but we hadn't tried it yet. Thanks for posting.

We have been wearing them in Bjorn's for shopping trips so far.

tarajayne · August 2012

I had no idea either but haven't tried. We only ever do quick trips if we are alone with the kids so we just do the stroller. A big trip is either done without kids or one pushes stroller and the other pushes cart.

HokieLaw · August 2012

I feel like printing out a bunch of pieces of paper with that blog address on them and handing them out when I go to the store.

Want a personalized experience?

PSA: Car seats and shopping carts

Re: PSA: Car seats and shopping carts

Choose Another Board

Search Boards