Walmart shopping carts are shocking people

[Nancy]

I just got back from Walmart, and for the third time since they renovated the place and have new shopping carts, I received shocks to my hands through the cart handle.

At first I thought I was imagining things, but I am not. I Googled Walmart shocks and it confirmed that I am not alone, it is happening all over the country in stores that have been spruced up.

I am mentioning it here because I don't know what this will do to folks with pacemakers or defibrillators.

It is a potential problem.

Apparently something in their recent new changes is causing a static electricity buildup when people walk around the store.

The shocks are mild to moderate, enough that some people are saying "Ouch".

 

[DebbyA]

The same thing happened when a new grocery chain started nearby. They tried a different floor wax, and it went away, then came back. Now the carts have little trailing (probably grounding) wires. It's a very unpleasant sensation, not really painful, but definitely offputting...

 

[ALCapshaw2]

My guess is that the SOURCE for this static discharge has more to do with the Floor Covering and the rubbing action of peoples shoes. The Cart just provides a convenient 'ground' to discharge the accumulated charge.

What kind of floor surface is in place at these renovated stores?

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Nancy]

looks like regular square linoleum tiles

 

[Bina]

I used to have terrible trouble when wearing running shoes and getting out of my car....the next metallic object that i touched would send me a heckuva shock and spark that would have been quite impressive had it been on others and not me.
Static would build up while i slid off of the car seat and just be waiting for a place to conduct and do it's thing.
Holding onto the metal area of the car door before sliding out will ground the electricity and eliminate the spark.

 

[CThrock]

I've had the same problem at Walmart. I thought it was the cement floors and because it was new. I try not to go there to much because it hurts to be shocked all the time or I go to the one alittle further away that one does'nt have the problem (which is sort of strange) but its an older one. I can understand your frustration with it Nancy it's umcomfortable to get shocked all the time. Holding the cart all the time does'nt work either (which is sort of hard when your shopping).

 

[njean]

This happened to me once at our Sam's store & at first I thought I was imagining things. So I went & picked up another cart, & low & behold, it happened again! Wierd feeling!!

 

[barb]

Yes! This happenes to me in our Walmart just in the last couple of weeks since they remodeled. Never happened there before. I thought I was imagining it. It's very weird. I'll have to go google to read more about it. I hate to think of it causing any problems with pacemakers or other medical devices. It really is very annoying. Thanks for sharing this.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Hmmm....

Another possible factor would be the material used to make the wheels of the cart... and/or the material on the handle.

I'm assuming the frame and cage of the cart are made of metal.

'AL C'

 

[Nancy]

I was wondering if they imbedded some sort of security wiring under the flooring. Maybe that is just my suspicious mind going into overdrive.

But really, I believe they had the newer carts prior to the recent renovations, and before that, they didn't shock me.

I find it strange that this is happening all over the country. Someone is going to get hurt.

 

[hensylee]

our store was remodeled some whle ago but I have not noticed anything wrong so far. Actually, I prefer the older carts and use them when I can. our WMart has both new and old carts. I am in Atlanta for now and haven't noticed any here, but again, I like the old carts. maybe it's the newer carts?

 

[DavesMom]

Thanks for posting this, Nancy. I always get shocked while shopping at my local WalMart and it drives me nuts. Glad to know it's not just me.

 

[olefin]

Our Walmart stores were remodeled recently... not notice any problem from static electricity. At first it was hard to find what I wanted.

 

[dsouter]

Bunch of grocery stores up here have Shocking carts.

Push the cart with one hand outstretched touching the metal, not both curled around the plastic handle.
Touching the metal seems to allow the energy to be constantly dissipated.

 

[Cozycat]

Yep, it happens to me also at the nearest Sam's Club. Like everyone else, you think it's something you're doing so interesting to hear it's happening all over. It usually doesn't happen when I enter the store but after I've been wheeling around for a while and seems to occur most often in the area of the frozen food cases.

Midge

 

[bvdr]

Me too! The last time I was in a got a few pretty good pokes!

 

[kfay]

I get this everytime I shop in my local grocery. I thought I was losing my mind! I never mentioned to anyone else for exactly this reason. Glad to know that this is a real problem.

Kim