This familiar type of rubber sandals is being warned against and even banned in some shopping centers.

Not just popular with children, this type of rubber sandals is also favored by many adults and teenagers.

Rubber sandals with closed toe, air holes on top, and rear straps are no stranger to us. They are favored by various age groups, from children, students to office workers, regardless of gender.

The advantages of such sandals include their softness, lightness, providing comfortable walking yet firmness, air holes to prevent sweaty feet, waterproof, suitable for wearing even in rainy weather. Moreover, they come in various colors and designs for users to choose according to their preferences.

However, in some shopping centers around the world, the image of these familiar rubber sandals is being warned of danger, and in some places, they are even prohibited from being worn on escalators. So what has led to this?

Regrettable incidents involving rubber sandals

A committee on consumer product safety in the United States revealed that a manufacturer of soft rubber shoes has received over 180 cases of children wearing rubber shoes experiencing injuries from escalators.

A 2010 study in the Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics also reported that an average of 17 children are hospitalized for injuries caused by escalator accidents within 2 years, with up to 13 of them wearing rubber shoes. Some patients suffered severe foot injuries that couldn't be treated, while others had fractures, tears, or ruptures.

The research findings also indicate that escalator-related foot injuries due to wearing rubber shoes can lead to severe foot crushing, even requiring complete removal of the injured area.

Following the unfortunate incident involving her child, Stanley's mother launched a campaign to raise awareness on her personal page. It serves as a warning to parents about the danger of soft rubber shoes, like the pair her child wore and once loved.

These incidents have led many shopping centers and hotels with escalators to issue warnings or even ban the use of such soft rubber shoes when using escalators.

To date, there hasn't been any specific study indicating that rubber shoes are more prone to getting caught in escalators than other types of shoes. However, it is entirely true that softer rubber shoes are more prone to destruction.

Manufacturers, including Crocs - a well-known brand in rubber shoe production, state that they are committed to enhancing customer safety awareness when using their products. This is demonstrated by warnings about shoe usage being included with each product, especially when using escalators.

Safety notes when using escalators

In fact, when riding escalators, attention to other points is also necessary to avoid dangerous accidents, especially with children.

The first thing is to carefully observe the surroundings, light signals, and warning signs. Throughout the escalator's use, avoid being engrossed in conversation or looking at your phone; instead, continuously observe the surroundings to react promptly to any unexpected accidents.

In addition to standing firmly in one position and continuously looking straight ahead, occasionally rotate the neck, head, and observe, with hands firmly grasping the handrail of the escalator.

If accompanying a small child, always ensure to hold the child's hand, avoiding letting the child stand too close to the edge of the escalator or run and play on the escalator.

Secondly, clothing worn while using escalators should be neat and tidy, avoiding overly long garments, especially flared or flowing skirts. These outfits pose a high risk of getting caught in the escalator.

In the event of clothing getting caught in the escalator, quickly remove the clothing from the body instead of trying to remove them from the escalator to escape danger swiftly.

Lastly, pay attention to the 'death spots.' From accidents occurring on escalators, a 'death spot' has been identified, advising against standing in it when stepping off the escalator. It is position number 2 in the image below.

This is the foot position of the escalator handrail. According to the typical construction of escalators, the position near the foot of the handrail is usually left empty to accommodate the frame's structure. Therefore, if subjected to strong force, this position is likely to collapse and cause accidents.

After landing at position number 1, you should take a long step to place your foot on the floor (number 3) to ensure safety.