According to a government report, the number of young children hurt while riding in shopping carts has risen 30 percent over the last 20 years.

But a new study in the medical journal Pediatrics showed how some simple changes can bring those numbers back down.

“Children have died from falls from shopping carts," said Dr. Gary Smith at the Columbus Children's Hospital. "We also know that many of these children are severely injured. They have severe fractures and can have lifelong disabilities.”

Smith said more than 20,000 children are hurt in shopping cart accidents every year -- an average of two children every hour of every day. Part of the problem is the cart itself, which is why experts like Smith are calling on stores to make some changes.

“The most effective strategy is to create carts that, by their design, are less likely to lead to injury,” said Smith.

The safer carts would seat children closer to the ground instead of on top of the cart. A lower center of gravity means there is less of a chance the cart will tip over.

And even if stores can’t offer new carts, they can offer parents some timely advice.

Smith said only about one in seven parents bother to use the safety straps in shopping carts. But when greeters simply reminded parents to use them as they entered the store, that number tripled.

To keep your kids safe while shopping, here are some tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

Look for the newer style of cart that puts children lower to the ground.

Never allow your child to ride in the basket or climb on the sides of the cart.

And don’t let an older child push the cart with a younger child in it.