As a community that cherishes family and the safety of our little ones, it's crucial to stay informed about potential hazards in everyday places. A recent incident at a Coles supermarket in Melbourne has raised concerns about the safety of children in seemingly secure environments. This story serves as a reminder to all parents and grandparents to remain vigilant, even in routine situations.

A Melbourne mother, Anna (name changed for privacy), experienced every parent's nightmare when her three-year-old daughter, Mackenzie, had a close call with the automated safety gates at her local Coles. Anna recounted the harrowing experience to Kidspot, emphasizing her desire to spread awareness and help other parents protect their children.

The incident occurred at the Cranbourne Park Coles, where Anna, accompanied by her nine-month-old son in a pram and Mackenzie walking beside, had just finished shopping. As they were leaving through the exit gates, which are a common feature in Coles stores, the situation took a frightening turn.

A Melbourne mother faced a safety scare with her daughter at a Coles supermarket involving the exit safety gates. Credit: YouTube / 7NEWS Australia

Anna described the events unfolding in 'almost slow motion.' The gates, which are supposed to remain closed until someone approaches, were inexplicably open from a distance. As Mackenzie stepped forward, the gates began to close. Anna's maternal instincts kicked in, and she shouted for her daughter to stop. Thankfully, the gates reopened just before making contact with the child, preventing what could have been a painful injury.

Shaken by the incident, Anna immediately contacted Coles customer service. The response she received was mixed. While a Coles representative assured her that a technician would inspect the gates, follow-up communication seemed to downplay the severity of the incident. Coles maintained that their gates are safe, vetted, and compliant with all necessary regulations, as confirmed by CCTV footage and external reviews.

In an attempt to address the situation, Coles offered Anna a $50 gift card as a 'gesture of goodwill.' However, Anna felt this response was inadequate compared to the potential danger her daughter faced. Her primary concern remains the safety of children around these automated gates.

Coles has reiterated their commitment to safety, stating that the smart gate technology is designed to the highest standards, with sensors to detect objects and prevent the gates from closing on customers. They assured that the gates operated correctly during the incident and that they take all safety concerns seriously.

This story is not just about one mother's scare; it's a wake-up call for all of us who care for young children. Automated systems, while convenient, are not infallible. It's essential to keep a close eye on our kids, especially in busy public spaces where we might assume they are safe.

We urge our readers to share their experiences and thoughts on this matter. Have you encountered similar safety issues in stores or public places? How do you ensure the safety of your children or grandchildren in these environments? Your insights could help others prevent such close calls in the future.

Key Takeaways

• A Melbourne mother experienced a safety scare with her daughter at a Coles supermarket involving the store's exit safety gates.
• The mother called Coles customer service and a Coles representative assured her the gates were safe, and a technician would check the site.
• Coles offered a $50 gift card as a 'gesture of goodwill' after the incident, which the mother accepted but felt did not address the seriousness of the issue.
• Coles has reviewed the CCTV footage and maintains that the smart gate technology operates to the highest global and Australian safety standards, with built-in sensors that should prevent such incidents.

Let's use this incident as a catalyst for discussion and change, ensuring that our shopping experiences remain safe for everyone, especially the most vulnerable among us. Your voice matters, and together, we can advocate for safer spaces for our families.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Just piss these monstrosities off from ANY store. Only last week, I had one such gate shut on me for no reason. The shop "arse"-sistant" just looked at me with her mouth open like a mouth breathing idiot she is.

I told her to open the gate but to no avail. It wasn't until I threatened her with "unlawful detainment" when another shop "arse"-sistant" unlocked the gate with something like a car keypad.

Makes me wonder how resistant these gates are to a shopping trolley being rammed into it with force.

 

[marni]

There are a lot of automated doors. Even our garage doors are such that when a touch is noted it retracts. I presume that as the gate opened as the child approached the gate seems safe. Now if the gate presumed that someone had pocketed an item it would close, or stay closed. I hope no young child would be in its vicinity then.

 

[Craftingnonna]

If you go through maned checkout, there won’t be a problem with the gate. I absolutely refuse to go through the self check out, no matter how long the line at the checkout is. The way I see it, I should be paid for doing the checkout job. The ladies at the self checkout are like prison guards, they are suspicious of everyone that scans their groceries and look at you as though you’re a thief.
If the supermarkets don’t want thefts or scams at the self check out, then get rid of them.