Aldi to fit safety straps to its trolleys after crusading mum called them an ‘accident waiting to happen’
Jodie Shawcross, 32, became concerned when she realised her 10-month-old was able to stand up in a trolley while she was shopping
SUPERMARKET Aldi has agreed to fit safety straps to its trolleys after a crusading mum called them an "accident waiting to happen".
Jodie Shawcross, 32, became concerned when she realised her 10-month-old was able to stand up in one while she was shopping at her local store in Ashton-Under-Lyne, Manchester, in August.
She put little Stanley back in the seat but he was immediately able to stand up again and the shocked mother filmed the tot to prove how he could "easily fall out".
The determined mum set up a petition and enlisted the help of her MP Angela Rayner to get Aldi to install safety straps on its trolleys.
She found out this week that her hard work had paid off and the supermarket has agreed to roll out the new restraints in all stores in the first half of this year.
Jodie said: "Aldi have finally agreed to fit straps to all their trolleys in all of their stores.
"It's a small victory for small people. Well done to everyone for their support.
"It took a lot of nagging and help from my local MP Angela Reyner, but we did it. Babies will be much safer now."
Jodie said her son could stand up in just a few seconds and "could easily fall out", forcing her to carry him while she shopped to avoid accidents.
She claimed every other major supermarket had a belt on their trollies, launched a petition on change.org, which gained more than 200 signatures.
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Speaking at the time, she said: "They are putting children at risk. I've heard of other children falling out but Aldi have never taken responsibility.
"Every other supermarket I've been to including Morrisons, Asda and Sainsburys have seat restraints on trolleys for younger children but Aldi doesn't."
She got a letter from her MP Angela Rayner to confirm her victory on Tuesday.
It said: "Also have now replied to my letter regarding your concerns over the lack of child restraints on their shopping trolleys.
"They thank you for bringing this to their attention and tell me that they take customer safety extremely seriously, and whilst the current trolleys comply with all the relevant health and safety legislation they will be rolling out safety straps to all trolleys in all their stores to be completed within the first half of this year."
Jodie wasn't the only parent who has taken issue with the supermarket chain over their trolley design.
Ruth Hatcher complained on the Aldi Facebook page that the trolleys in her store in Leicester were not safe enough for her baby to sit in.
"I have a young baby who cannot yet sit up in a trolley and so needs to use a car seat trolley.
"Having checked the trolley stand and searched the car park I couldn't find one so went inside to ask where they were. I was told that they only have one and that it must be in use.
"I looked all round the store and could not see it in use."
She added: "As a company that promotes itself to families, I'm afraid that this is a big fail on your part."
Another frustrated mother, Leanne Finch, wrote: "My little girl isn't even one yet I spent our entire shopping trip trying to stop her standing up, which is stressful for us both.
"Today I moved my trolley over to the bagging area when Flossie dropped her ball. In the time it took to pick it up, she was out of the trolley and on the window ledge/packing area. Not good."
She posted a photo of the incident on the Aldi Facebook page.
An Aldi spokesperson said: "Following a successful trial in two regions, child seat straps will be added to all of our trolleys.
"We expect this to be complete by the end of April."
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