It is bloody stupid of Aldi to have kitchen knives on display out of their box at child height?

[AntoinetteCosway]

Well?

[SilverApples]

Agreed, it does sound like an accident waiting to happen.
My local Sainsbury's don't, they are all displayed over a metre up.
Have you emailed customer services?

[RainbowCake]

Well my DC would be with me and know better than to touch knives.
But can't see why they wouldn't display them higher.

[AntoinetteCosway]

I said to a member of staff that it seemed dangerous (yes, I'm a busybody, but a toddler sitting in a trolley could easily have grabbed them if the parent looke away for a second) and she said 'we're not told we can't do it, so...'

[YourHandInMyHand]

They're not loose pointy knives out though are they, they're packaged up in a box/pack. If my DS got into a packet of knives and hurt himself I'd be cross with myself not the shop.

[spongebob13]

so did you just put them back in the box and shove them in?

[SilverApples]

On display out of their box Yourhand.
That's what the title says.

[AntoinetteCosway]

No, they were out of their box. You could just pick up an individual carving knife.

There was no empty box to put them into but I did move them to the back of the display so they were harder to reach.

[HeySoulSister]

Also don't have high shelves do they?

And people should take more responsibility for supervising their kids.....

[CocacolaMum]

if they are out of their box its because someone else left them that way - they should be boxed and tbh some responsibility has to be taken by the person taking the toddler into the supermarket?

[spongebob13]

but that's how aldi and lidl are ... they are notorious for tools as well all close to hand. I see your point but if that's the shop layout then its up to the parents to be vigilant. but I wonder how things would fare out if god forbid there was an accident?

[AntoinetteCosway]

The staff member made it clear they were as they were on purpose. And yes of course parents need to take responsibility for their children but does that mean the supermarket don't have any responsibility?

I would have thought it was illegal to display them like that (it sort of like having a loaded gun just lying around isn't it?) but the staff member said it wasn't. Quite defensively, because I imagine I looked pretty horrified.

[AntoinetteCosway]

Exactly-the potential for an accident is always there but this just seemed to be really inviting it.

[HeySoulSister]

Guns are illegal, buying knives aren't!

You sound a bit ott op.... I mean, for a start, define 'child height'

[YourHandInMyHand]

Oops sorry I apologise.

Out of their boxes I reckon they are a magnet to toddlers and nutters!

I didn't think sharp knives could be sold without packaging, never mind displayed at child height.

[Tee2072]

I can't believe it's legal since you have to be, what? 18? To buy a knife?

I do think parents bear some responsibility but perhaps an email to corporate?

[buss]

how high up were they?
Our aldi had knives recently but the container that held them was fairly tall - about waist height on an adult.
It's still the parent's responsibility though.
An unsupervised child is more likely to be hurt by a shopping trolley.

[spongebob13]

define child height? wtf?

[spongebob13]

buss aldi/lidl don't have shelves for that kinda stuff they are just in cage like massive floor ones. my 4 year old can easily reach in over them. but that's where I think its on me and to make sure he is by my side.

[SilverApples]

Ahhh, the range of parenting approaches on MN is always invigorating!
I love the idea of a supermarket where all children are under the watchful control of their parents rather than building castles with the sliced loaves and duelling with random knives.

[AntoinetteCosway]

Oh of course that's true about guns being illegal. I think I assumed it was illegal to display them loose because in every shop I can think of they're displayed behind glass doors and if you want to look at them you have to get a member of staff.

As for child height...well, just above waist height on me, so if say your average 7 year old could reach for them, and perfect height for a child in the trolley seat.

Tee yes you do have to be 18.

[SilverApples]

Give customer services an email.

[fluffyraggies]

Found this on the site governing trading standards re: selling knives:

To avoid committing these offences, it is advised that the legislation is brought to the attention of all staff via regular training. It is important that you can prove that your staff have understood what is required of them under the legislation. This can be done by keeping a record of the training and asking the member of staff to sign to say that they have understood it. These records should then be checked and signed on a regular basis by management or the owner.

Knives should be displayed where staff can see them.

Last sentence is interesting.

[AntoinetteCosway]

Yes spongebob, I was a bit about that too.

[AntoinetteCosway]

Yes it is fluffy. They were in the middle aisles surrounded by the usual array of stuff and there were only a couple of members of staff around. I highly doubt they were always in somebody's view.

Have tweeted them. Will find their email address if I don't hear back. It may well be perfectly legal but I still do think it's stupid!

[LayMizzRarb]

What about bleach, toilet cleaner, alcohol, aerosols? Should they all be on the top shelf too?
Sorry, but parents need to be in control of what kids are doing. It amazes me every time I go to Homebase or B&Q the number of pre school kids running up and down the aisles. I once saw a toddler escape by an inch after trying to climb on a display of paint tins, and bringing the whole lot down. I ran to see if the little boy was alright, and it took a good minute or two for the parents to turn up.
The mother walked off muttering about how they could make the display safer.