Rubber clogs shoes + Escalator = Danger
The rubber clogs shoes, which have exploded in the US as one of the biggest footwear trends has made it here. Though I haven’t seen the Crocs brand, imitations are being sold openly. I even bought 1 pair for my son last month.
The super light and comfortable wear made it a popular choice here as well but there is a growing list of accidents involving children wearing this type of shoes while riding on the escalators. The accidents happened in the US and also Singapore.
The main reported causes were these shoes get sucked between the side of the escalator and the stationary wall. It is believed these children let their shoes run along the wall, the friction causing the shoes to melt and get sucked into the side of the machine.
Another claim is that the “teeth” at the bottom of the shoes can get stucked with the gaps on the escalator. And it doesn’t matter if they’re Crocs brand or imitations, both are still exposed to these dangers.
At the end of last year, there were 4 reported cases in Singapore. I haven’t come across any news of accident involving these shoes in Malaysia but there will be if the popularity grows with no awareness of its danger.
Click on the image above to read the news
So if you decide to buy these for your kids or you see your friends’ kids wearing them, just inform them to be careful around escalators. Somebody need to tell Datuk Patrick Sindhu (Consumer Association of Sabah President) about this.
Safety precautions? Carry your child when you go on the escalators or don’t buy these type of shoes.
Links
Crocs Accidents Blog (This blog is dedicated to warn parents of the possible dangers of rubber clogs to children)
Crocs Shoes & Escalator Accidents
Safety Alert: Your Kids Wearing Crocs + Escalators = Serious Injuries
May 14th, 2007 at 11:11 am
This stuff sells like hot cakes here in KL too. I was thinking of getting one too and after reading your post brother, I have to think twice. I’m the type of person who likes dragging my shoe along side of the escalator just for fun. He he
May 14th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
reading this reminded me of Adidas Kampung (also made of rubber). i don’t know how well these Adidas Kampung would fare on the escalators, but the locals who have won the mount kinabalu climbathon would swear by it.
never heard of Adidas Kampung?
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=ZFV&q=%22adidas+kampung%22&btnG=Search
May 15th, 2007 at 7:33 am
I never liked these Crocs. They may be light and come in lovely pastels but frankly, they’re ugly! I’m put off just by the sight of it.
May 15th, 2007 at 10:13 am
hehe retard.. wah so many mentions online.. i wonder if the actual manufacturer of the shoes know its alternate but more famous name? hehe.
May 17th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
I bought the “imitation clog from Payless Shoe Source a few weeks back, thinking it would be a fun shoe to wear for my son who is 4 years old. Unfortunately, they cause more damage than fun. My son was playing in the playground, he was running toward the play equipment and the shoe glued him down and he fell forward and had lacerated his forward. He had to have 6 to7 stiches. It was so horrifying to see my son is so much pain. I want to have this types of shoes banned. Has anyone else had any simular problems? (Payless recalled Airwalk Clogs for toddlers, it was not the same shoes that I had bought)
May 21st, 2007 at 9:54 am
Hi Linda, sorry to hear abt your son’s fall. My son (3 years old) fell in our house compound just last saturday while running with that shoes.. though I can’t tell if the shoes are to blame. Luckily the fall wasn’t that bad - he just needed a bandage over his knee.
I think more awareness should be raised regarding these type of shoes.
May 11th, 2008 at 1:26 am
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