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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

cardboard fixture fell on my son while shopping

237 replies

shminkie · 08/04/2014 16:51

I visited a matalan store on 10th Feb with my almost 2 year old son and my mother. My son loves exploring his world right now and I'm happy to let him under my watchful eye. He was doing his usual 'taking things off prongs for mummy to put back' when he tried to take some socks off one of their cardboard display units. As a store planner and shop fitter, it never occurred to me that the fixture would be unsecured, especially placed so close to the children's department. I was therefore horrified when the 4 foot, front heavy fixture with eye threatening prongs fell covering my son. I settled my son who was thankfully ok, but thought that it needed reporting to duty manager. After paying for my goods I asked to speak with someone. A young lady arrived and I explained what had happened and was utterly astonished at her response. There was no concern, no apology. She just said 'well he must have pulled on it' I replied yes he had, as he explored, as he should be able to without the fixture falling onto him. She then told me 'that's why our trolleys have child seats in them, we recommend you keep them in a trolley.' I was utterly enraged with the 'well it's his fault or your fault' attitude. This attitude has been repeated by their own h and s dept and by my local council. I simply cannot believe that this is OK?! That because these are temporary fixtures and because he was not injured I should accept the vouchers they offered and shut up!? I have asked them to donate them to charity as i do not plan to revisit while my sons safety cannot be guaranteed. Please let me know your thoughts, or knowledge of other incidents/ways I can report it. Either way, watch your little ones in matalan, as ease of sock management comes before your child's safety.

OP posts:
MiaowTheCat · 08/04/2014 17:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

McFlurry · 08/04/2014 17:09

As a 'store planner and shop fitter' you should know that shop fittings are not appropriate playthings for a toddler.

StarGazeyPond · 08/04/2014 17:09

Are you the parent who never says 'no'?

ExcuseTypos · 08/04/2014 17:10

I don't think toddlers should be using a shop to play in. There's too many chances for things to go wrong.

I wouldn't have let my DDs pull off socks either. If you say the display unit had "eye threatening prongs" he could have fallen into it, just as easy as it fell into him.

WildThong · 08/04/2014 17:10

How about a bit of personal responsibility. Don't allow your child to 'explore his world' in a shop.
Honestly the entitlement of some people, sheesh.

Oakmaiden · 08/04/2014 17:11

What did you actually expect to have happen? Your son was not injured, so you have no claim for damages, and you have been offered vouchers as a goodwill gesture.

What do you think ought to happen?

SmiteYouWithThunderbolts · 08/04/2014 17:11

YABU. Teach your precious little darling that such "games" are not appropriate in busy shops, or empty shops for that matter.

CinnabarRed · 08/04/2014 17:11

Why are you posting today, 8th April, about something that happened on 10th February?

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 08/04/2014 17:12

A small child died in a shop not to long ago near here because he pulled a mirror onto himself. Truly awful

Yup, he was swinging on it. Something I don't think got mentioned in the papers. Still awful, obviously.

Yabu, your toddler shouldn't have been playing with it.

diddl · 08/04/2014 17:12

"My son loves exploring his world right now and I'm happy to let him under my watchful eye. "

I suggest that your eye needs to be more watchful.

usualsuspectt · 08/04/2014 17:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Cigarettesandsmirnoff · 08/04/2014 17:13

Oh where oh where have you gone op

Gotta be a joke - or your bananas! Grin

BuzzardBird · 08/04/2014 17:13

So the 'heavy display' unit was in fact made of cardboard and had 'eye threatening prongs'? And you are a shop fitter? OK Hmm

usualsuspectt · 08/04/2014 17:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

drivingmisslazy · 08/04/2014 17:15

YABVU

They gave you some vouchers and your still not happy even though if you had been supervising your child it would not of happened.

This must be a joke / reverse

Floggingmolly · 08/04/2014 17:16

He loves exploring his world? Hmm If I was the manager I'd have put you on a lifetime ban for allowing you to use my store as part of your dc's exploration area.

You halfwit.

Armadale · 08/04/2014 17:17

" Either way, watch your little ones in matalan, as ease of sock management comes before your child's safety"

This thread is a bit grim.

First of all, surely you should be watching your little one in every shop Confused

Secondly, it really sounds like this was your fault, they haven't 'put stock management before your child', they have put stock on the shop floor for people to buy and your 2 year old has been allowed to pull it over.

Thirdly, you've complained to the Management, H&S and local council, and when this hasn't worked, you have come on Mumsnet to have a go at them publicly.

I bet they were wishing they hadn't offered you vouchers now.

FracturedViewOfLife · 08/04/2014 17:19

Halfwit Grin

soverylucky · 08/04/2014 17:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BuzzardBird · 08/04/2014 17:21

Please come back and tell me that the vouchers they gave you were for childcare!

ChasingDogs · 08/04/2014 17:21

Brilliant Grin

Instead of letting him pull apart the shop, sorry, I mean "explore his world" why don't you try keeping a hand on him as well as an indulgent (sorry again! I obviously mean "watchful") eye. That way, he won't have the opportunity to drag displays onto himself- regardless of whether or not they are sock-heavy and littered with eye-threatening prongs.

PunkrockerGirl · 08/04/2014 17:21

YABU. Put him in the trolley or have him on reins if you can't control him. It's always someone else's fault, isn't it OP Confused

BolshierAyraStark · 08/04/2014 17:23

YAB so U, think that watchful eye of yours needs a little more practice...

whomadeyougod · 08/04/2014 17:23

Either way, watch your little ones in matalan

take your own advice !

LoveBeingCantThinkOfAName · 08/04/2014 17:23

He explored and learnt a valuable lesson, some things you can't pull around without them falling on you.

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