Best Practices To Avoid A New Haven Slip And Fall Accident While Doing Back To School Shopping

As the buses start to roll once again, parents of kids everywhere are scrambling to get those last minute back to school shopping trips completed. These types of trips can be quite hectic as the stores are busier and often families are in a rush so it is important to have a plan of attack when going shopping so you can stay safe. Your safety might not be the first thing you think about when you’re heading to the mall, but it should be on your list so you can avoid a New Haven slip and fall accident and make sure your shopping trip is successful and free from injury.

Parents and grandparents know that shopping with kids can be quite the experience that can leave you breathless and spinning in eight million directions. This type of frenetic pace can lead to forgetting or ignoring simple best practices that can keep your shopping trip safe. Your kids may be going from store to store and pointing at the newest pair of shoes or the latest backpack that they want to stand out from the crowd when they get to school, but you need to be both focused on the shopping and their safety simultaneously.

Whether you’re shopping at a mall, which presents it’s own safety risks or going from store to store at the Shops at Yale, you will need to keep some simple truths in mind to keep yourself safe. If you can make it through your hectic last minute shopping unscathed, we think you can make it through anything. While the trip may not be on the same level of intensity that holiday shopping can get to, it certainly carries it’s own challenges that you need to be aware of when you head out to get those last minute pens and pencils.

Keep in mind these following best practices when you are out doing your last minute back to school shopping and your kids will get everything they need for a successful new school year and you will make it home safe and sound.

1.) Choose your footwear wisely. You may not be the type of person that is used to being on their feet all day and if you’re not, wearing shoes that don’t offer support or tread can put you in a bad situation. We strongly recommend that you avoid wearing open toed shoes and we are a definite no on flip flops. While you don’t have to go full basketball sneaker on your shopping trip, it’s a good idea to wear a shoe that is comfortable, offers some support and has good grip on the sole of the shoe so you can navigate all of the different types of terrain you will encounter.

2.) Take your time. You might have a shopping list that is a mile long and see the clock ticking away the hours before the opening bell of the first day of school, but you should know that this shopping trip shouldn’t be an emergency. You will get to get everything on your list and get home in time for a few relaxing minutes before it’s wake-up time to get the kids on the bus. Taking your time allows you to safely check items off of your shopping list while also maintaining your sanity (a crucial piece of the back to school puzzle.)

3.) Be mindful of others. The stores will likely be crowded with other parents who may be even more frazzled then you feel you are by the back to school shopping frenzy. Give them grace and space to do their shopping and be courteous as you navigate the stores and shops that you need to get to. Remember, everyone is facing this type of back to school crunch and it will go a long way to helping us all stay safe if we can remain courteous to those around us.

The items above will help you avoid a New Haven slip and fall accident while you’re out doing your last minute back to school shopping. These are items that are within your control. You should keep in mind that there are going to be some things that will be out of your control including spills at some stores that will make floors slippery, obstacles that might impede your movement throughout the store and wet floors, especially on rainy days which could put you at greater risk of a slip and fall. If you follow the best practices and are mindful of where you are stepping as you’re racing from store to store you will be doing everything you can to keep yourself and your kids safe.

Back to school shopping can be fun for your kids, but it can be stressful for you. This stress can sometimes lead to letting your guard down which might result in an accident and an injury. If you or your child is hurt, you may want to contact an attorney who has experience with the types of situations that you are facing. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will review your situation and work with you to protect your long-term interests.