The Dangers of Unattended Children at Malls

Damaging or Taking Items

• Unattended children -- especially those who are impulsive -- tend to pick up or grab items they find interesting. This can lead to breakage of items that the parent must often buy. In addition, the children may pocket an item, or otherwise conceal it, which qualifies as shoplifting. Also, if children are in pairs or groups, they might choose to run, which can lead to breakage or dishevelment of store property. Mannequins and displays in stores are often unsecured, and can fall over if a child crawls under or leans against them.

Escalator Danger

• Without proper adult supervision around escalators, such as guiding the child on and off the device, making sure that the child faces forward and stands still on the step and checking for clothing hazards, these conveyances pose serious danger to children. With its perpetual motion, the escalator has been the setting for up to 2,000 child-related injuries per year, according to information on the "Parents" magazine website. Most commonly, children fall while attempting to get onto or off an escalator or while riding, which can lead to injuries such as cuts and bruises. Other less common, more serious injuries include entrapment injuries, which involve the child's clothing or body parts. Escalators have a tendency to catch and pull clothing items such as shoelaces, long skirts, trailing jackets or scarves, which can ultimately pull parts of a child's body into the forceful moving steps. Entrapment injuries can crush a child's hands or feet, and sometimes result in amputation.

Elevator Danger

• Elevators represent another danger zone for unattended children. Even though elevators have sensors that prevent the door from closing if something is in the way, a child's small hand, fingers or arm may not trigger the sensor, according to information from Dr. Karen Sheehan, medical director of the injury prevention and research center at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, as reported on the "Parents" website as well. In addition, an unattended child could stumble and his foot or leg could slip into the gap between the elevator and the floor of the building.

Stranger Danger

• Child predators look for opportunities to approach children, and an unattended child provides the perfect target. Even children who are in groups can fall victim to the luring techniques of a predator. A child predator may appear perfectly normal, or even pose as an authority figure to gain a child's trust. A predator may ask a child for directions or try to lure her into a vehicle with promises of candy, a puppy or other enticing items.