Some 30 department stores and supermarkets in Shanghai jointly launched a first aid program for shoppers Thursday for the safety of customers.

Statistics show that elderly and weak customers used to be afraid of entering large, crowded stores, and that problems causedby slipping, a stuffy atmosphere, and the risk of catching infectious diseases are common in such shops.

The system for ensuring customers' safety includes a first-aid counter, a first-aid kit, first-aid pamphlets and a foldable stretcher.

More shopping centers are scheduled to be equipped with the system by the end of this year.

( Xinhua News Agency January 24, 2002)