Crocs and escalators are a dangerous mix

by Susan Wagner (Subscribe to Susan Wagner's posts) Apr 12th 2007 11:02AM

Every spring, I get the same note from my sons' schools: please, the note begs, do not send your child to school in Crocs. The kids tend to fall when they wear them to run and climb, and the playground mulch gets in them and makes the kids crazy. Please send your child to school in closed-toed shoes suitable for play.

Makes sense to me.

Apparently, though, Crocs won't just slow kids down on the playground; according to an ABC News report, Crocs can pose a serious threat to children riding escalators. The rubbery garden clog-like shoes can become wedged between the moving stairs and the side of the escalator, often trapping the child's foot.

Chloe Johnson, a 10-year-old from Kansas City, had exactly that happen to her at the Atlanta Hartsfield Airport last year. "Chloe said, 'My toe, my toe,'" her mother, Kay Hopkins, said. "And we took the Croc off and seeing the blood and seeing her toe - it was frightening." Chloe's injury was fairly mild, but other children have had more serious injuries. James Yuen, a plastic surgeon at Arkansas Children's Hospital, says, "Imagine that you are taking a child shopping and out of the blue their foot is mangled, trapped. Can you imagine a child stuck for almost an hour? It is a very traumatic event."

The ABC News report points out that it's not only Crocs that pose a danger on escalators, but any soft, pliable shoe, including flip flops. ABC News also reminds us that while approximately 245 million people ride escalators every day, only a small number of Croc-related incidents have been reported. However, for parents of small children, especially kids who love their Crocs, it is something to keep in mind. No matter what kind of shoes your kids are wearing, they should stand in the middle of the escalator step and not drag their feet along the sides while riding. Very small kids should be held by an adult on an escalator. And you should always keep in mind that every escalator has an emergency shut off button, just in case.

But you still might want to leave those Crocs at home.

Comments (67)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

Dorian 4-12-2007 @ 8:32PM

I don't think it is fair to single out Crocs. Escalators are dangerous...period. Any loose clothing can get caught in them. Like the article said, "it's not only Crocs that pose a danger on escalators, but any soft, pliable shoe, including flip flops." Fingers can get squished or pinched between the two parts of the railing. My brother pulled my mom down a set one time. I have witnessed numerous accidents on them. They are hazardous in general. You should always ride one with caution, no matter what type of shoes you have on. Plain and simple. Heck, most of us could use the exercise stairs offer anyways.

ED 4-12-2007 @ 8:46PM

Dorian

Duh - did you read the rest of the article it says "ABC News reports point out that it's not only Crocs that pose a danger on escalators, but any soft, pliable shoe, including flip flops.

E.D.

lisa 4-12-2007 @ 8:51PM

DUMB--warning parents AGAIN to parent properly!!! Won't happen-blame the shoes, the fast food industry-anyone but ourselves. If shoes are loose people trip etc. Should kids be in Crocs-I don't know but I know blaming someone else is the American way these days and we are the ones that should try to prevent accidents--PROACTIVE--what a concept!!!

beth 4-12-2007 @ 8:59PM

Actually I think the crocs saved my kid's foot When the croc got caught by the escalator on the metro it ripped apart at the holes. I even sent crocs an e-mail about it. Then I yelled at my kid for monkeying around on the escalator and myself for not paying better attention to him

T 4-13-2007 @ 7:34PM

DUH yourself ED.
Of course they add a disclaimer there at the very end saying it isn't "just" crocs, but the article absolutely IS singling out Crocs @@...it's in the TITLE of the ARTICLE.

Suzy 4-12-2007 @ 9:08PM

Maybe this will decrease the sale of these hideous shoes! They are the tackiest trend with their gawdy colors and cheap plastic! They will go down in history as a joke like the jellies from the 80's.

michele 4-12-2007 @ 9:16PM

My daughter took a couple of falls in her Crocs. I have a pair and I really don't find them all that comfortable. I use them to go to and from the pool and that's about it. Seems to me the only real "danger" about them may be that disgusting rubbery smell they have. Stunk up my entire closet.

Luquita 4-12-2007 @ 9:18PM

Suzy, try wearing a pair of the crocs if you have a job where you are on your feet. I agree they are hideous to look at but they are very comfortable

Jeff 4-12-2007 @ 9:23PM

I don't get the fascination with Crocs. I wouldn't even wear them in the garden. I tried on a pair just to see what all the hoopla was about and it wasn't comfortable plus offered no support whatsoever. They certainly don't belong on the schoolground in the first place, especially at the elementary level.

Susan 4-12-2007 @ 9:44PM

I can't figure out why parents allow small children, especially toddlers, to wear Crocs or any loose shoes, platforms or anything. Cute before they can walk, but for heaven's sake, don't put them in Crocs. It is difficult enough for children learning how to walk and balance themselves, but when parents put Crocs on them as they are trendy is just asking for trouble. Or flipflops, or platforms. Time enough for that when they are older. Sneakers, sandals with straps...use some common sense people.

Susan (mom of 5)

Mit 4-12-2007 @ 9:29PM

Not only are they butt ugly, they're dangerous too! Lol, I've heard it all now...

BD 4-12-2007 @ 9:39PM

Confort aside, parents need to think about what shoes are acceptable for school. As a teacher, I am amazed at what shoes students wear to school. Heely's which are the sneakers with the small wheel in the back are an absurd choice for school as well. Although parents have been made aware of the dangers of these in school they still wear them. If parents thought for a moment about recess or the time walking up and down the stairs, the choice of footwear would be less of a debate.

Amber 4-12-2007 @ 9:40PM

Just a little FYI to all - While I am an adult with no children I do were Corcks everyday for the past 2 years... I had a rupture of my achillies tendon and the doctor actually wrote a script for me to only wear these shoes. They have excellent support and give while being slip resistant. I DO understand the danger of children wearing them and not picking up their feet --- where are the parents - or is that our job to teach their kids how to walk too???

allison 4-12-2007 @ 10:02PM

For children, you really can't beat Vans classic slip-ons. They stay on, offer support, are comfortable, and you don't have to worry about laces getting untied and tripped on or caught on something. They also come in dozens of nice colors and cute designs. I used to work in a high school with escalators, and untied shoelaces were always getting stuck- I dare say that they were more dangerous than Crocs.

Jackie 4-12-2007 @ 10:12PM

I have a big problem with the heely's as well. To me it's a lawsuit waiting to happen. I am a pre school teacher and hate the kids wearing crock's. These kids are little and they hate to get dirt or woodchips in these shoes.

Bonita 4-12-2007 @ 10:37PM

My husband and I bought a pair of crocs for my sister who has MS. She put them on and only takes them off when she goes to bed. She told us they literally changed her life and she can now walk with confidence and is not afraid she will fall down. My husband and I both wear them also and find them comfortable. I hope this information is helpful to others who have trouble with balance or steady walking. Bonita

K 4-12-2007 @ 10:17PM

What about those stupid skate shoes ... "Heely's"?? When is someone going to blame those when a kid crashes into something, or falls off an escalator while wearing those?

lynn 4-12-2007 @ 10:27PM

I LOVE CROCS I ONLY WEAR BIRKS AND CROCS BEST FOR YOU FEET EVER --I TOO HAVE HEEL TROUBLE BEST I HAVE WORN BESIDES BIRKS ! I LOVE THE FASHIONABLE COLORS LOL

T. 4-12-2007 @ 10:21PM

I do agree that Crocs are not the best play shoe for kids...they have a traction that grips the ground, occasionally stopping you in your tracks. However, as for playground safety, any open back shoe (or open toe shoe) is going to lead to trouble. Keep their feet protected by a full shoe, and may I add, one without a heel! As a teacher, I have seen lots of injuries due to improper shoes at school. In regards to escalators, I was wearing a pair of Vans slip ons, which I thought quite safe and this very thing happened to me. Within a few short moments, my shoe was caught and my toe was being pulled in between. I tore the shoe and got my foot out with only a bloody toe. The escalator had to be stopped and the shoe extracted. The best advice is to keep your feet away from the side. It's not the shoe!