The incidence of shopping cart-related injuries in the United States, 2002--2006.

BACKGROUND Shopping cart-related injuries are an important cause of childhood injury in the United States (US). To date, few studies have investigated the epidemiology and incidence of these injuries. METHODS The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System was utilized to identify shopping cart-related injuries from 2002 to 2006. Injury rates were calculated using the 2006 US population estimates for gender (male and female), age group (<5 years, 5-9 years, and 10-14 years), and race (White, Black, and other). RESULTS The overall injury rate was 37.8 per 100,000 person years (PY). Injury rates did not differ significantly by gender or race. However, injury rates decreased markedly with increasing age and were highest among children <5 years of age (97.8 per 100,000 PY), followed by children 5-9 years (13.9 per 100,000 PY), and children 10-14 years (2.9 per 100,000 PY). CONCLUSIONS Shopping carts continue to be an important cause of injuries among children. Directing safety awareness toward those families with children <5 years, mandatory safety standards, and modification of shopping cart design may decrease injury rates.