For many Fayetteville families, weekend shopping is a routine, whether stocking up on groceries, browsing local stores, or running errands around Northwest Arkansas. But what often feels like a simple outing can quickly turn dangerous. Heavy traffic near malls and shopping centers increases the risk of car accidents, crowded stores can have slip-and-fall hazards, and defective products can put your family’s safety at risk long after you leave the checkout line.
Understanding these risks before you head out can help you stay alert, avoid injuries, and know what steps to take if an accident does occur. Here’s what every Fayetteville shopper should keep in mind.
What Is Tax-Free Weekend in Arkansas?
Arkansas law sets the Sales Tax Holiday for the first weekend in August each year. This year, Arkansas’s tax-free shopping weekend occurred on August 2nd and 3rd, 2025.
Clothing, school supplies, and certain electronic items are tax-free during the sales tax holiday weekend, with some exceptions. Some clothing accessories and teacher instructional materials are also tax-free. Qualifying items are tax-free if they are priced at less than $100.
Weekend Shopping in Fayetteville: What You Need to Know
Although the tax-free weekend has passed, shopping in general can be both a necessity and a fun activity to do with friends or family. However, there are potential risks that arise from being out and about, such as reckless driving, in-store hazards, and consumer products.
Driving Dangers on Fayetteville’s Roads
Roads are likely to be busier with more shoppers heading out to stores. Traffic near shopping areas such as Northwest Arkansas Mall, Westwood Shopping Center, and Spring Creek Centre can be areas where car and pedestrian accidents can occur. Especially when coming off or going to nearby highways such as I-49, 71B, 16S, or Highway 12, reckless driving and speeding may occur.
When running errands, it’s essential to give yourself additional time to get to your next destination. Eliminate distractions in the vehicle. If you bring others along with you, ask them to help you watch traffic as you drive. If you’re involved in a truck or car accident, document the scene as best you can and get medical help immediately. It’s important to start documenting your journey and reaching out to an experienced personal injury lawyer to help navigate you through the claim process.
Common Hazards Inside Fayetteville Stores
Arkansas business owners have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for business visitors. They must warn visitors about risks they cannot immediately fix, such as wet floors or broken stairs.
During a busy weekend when Arkansas residents are out running errands, they may encounter hazards at retail stores like:
- Food and drink spills on floors,
- Dropped or spilled products or packages,
- Broken or missing floor tiles or carpeting,
- Broken or loose handrails, railings, and stair treads,
- Broken elevators and escalators,
- Inadequate lighting,
- Lack of security,
- Misbehavior from other shoppers.
It’s important to look for obvious dangers at stores like Aldi, Target, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Hobby Lobby, and many more. If you’re injured while shopping in Fayetteville or another part of Arkansas, notify the store manager and get medical attention immediately.
If you are an employee at a local retail store and are injured during your shift, you also have rights. You may have both a workers’ compensation and a personal injury claim. Each case is unique and handled differently, which is why it’s best to speak with our team today. We can help get you started
The Hidden Dangers of Defective Products
People may not realize that injuries from consumer products can occur, depending on the product type.
For example, when choosing school supplies for children, it’s important to look for:
- Items that are designed for children’s use. Choose items that fit the needs of your children. For example, safety scissors designed for small hands are likely to be safer than adult-size scissors when children are small. Crayons, markers, and similar products labeled “non-toxic” may be safer as well. Products labeled “washable,” while not necessarily safer, may make your laundry day easier.
- When choosing children’s clothing, consider your child’s needs and ability to dress independently. Choose pajamas made of flame-retardant materials. Consider your child’s ability to operate buttons, zippers, laces, and other fasteners on their own. When choosing sweatshirts or coats, avoid strings in hoods that could increase the risk of strangulation.
- Larger backpacks carry more items, which means they can also get heavier. Make sure a backpack fits your child correctly, has padding on the straps and back, and offers compartments to distribute weight evenly. If possible, have your child try on backpacks to find a comfortable fit.
In 2020, over 28 million people needed medical care for an injury related to a consumer product, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). About 50,000 deaths occurred in 2019 due to interactions with consumer products.
Protecting Yourself and Your Family While Running Weekend Errands
Always put safety first. Move away from the danger, if possible, but do not move someone who is seriously injured. Call 911 for emergency help. If possible, take photos or video, get contact information for witnesses, or make written or voice notes to help you remember what happened.
Get medical care as soon as you can after an injury. A doctor will fully document your injuries, provide medical advice and attention, and put you on the path to healing.
Speak to an experienced Arkansas injury lawyer. A lawyer can investigate your case, negotiate for compensation, and hold any negligent parties accountable for the harm you have experienced. The team at the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A. can help. Contact us today to learn more.
