Danger lurks almost unseen. A child dawdles near a grim-looking straight-cut wire display hook directly at eye level. Note the safer curl-end hook just behind her. All retailers strive for safety within a planogram. But as resets occur, the integrity and safety of the initial plan falls by the wayside with store personnel struggling to make needed cut-ins of new products. Old hazardous fixtures may be pressed into service. Managers should educate the floor on such dangers. Purchasing should know that all reputable manufacturers offer ball-end safety tip hooks as standard or a no-cost upgrade. Additional protection is provided by safety-loop and curled-end designs, metal plate tips (including both decorative tips and metal plate label holders), and ultimately soft, forgiving scan hook extruded label holders. Specialty hooks such as J-hooks are also available in “guarded” styles to forestall injury. Alexis, 2 years old, asks you to safeguard her and her friends.
For hook posts related to child safety see…
“Careful Alexis! Sharp Hook“ (This Post)
“PowerWing Hook Hazard”
“Baseball-size Display Hook Ends“
“Outlandish Winter Cap Hookery”For a related hook safety post SEE…
“How to Avoid Being Hit on the Head in Retail”
“Ideas Wanted: Retail Guard Rail”For more enclosed hooks see…
“Guarded Backbar for Tight Spaces”
“Guarded ‘Boxer’ Hooks for Ties“
“Guarded Multi-Surface Multi-Hook”
“Extended with Guarded Multi-Hook”
“Guarded J-Hook for Shelf Edge”For a visual Pinterest Board summary see…
“Hooks: Guarded”SEARCH “Best Practices” for tips on safety and improved merchandising.