Jun
4
Filed Under Articles, Product Safety
The popular shoes, Crocs™ worn by kids and adults alike have swept the retail-nation like wildfire. My son has a pair or two. They are easy to get on and off (which is a huge help when kids don’t want to put shoes on AT ALL like mine) and are great for the beach or pool. They’re comfortable, water and slip resistant and the material they’re made with Croslite™, their proprietary foam material is nontoxic, bacteria and mold resistant too.
But not so fast, there are some concerns to be aware of before letting your little one walk to earth in them. While they’re a great convenience, they are being reported as a safety issue with escalators. 77 cases of escalator entrapment have been reported since January of 2006 in connection with Crocs™ and similar imitation brands, according to the CPSC. The hard teeth of escalator steps and the soft nature of the shoe materials have caused some serious injuries to mostly children. The CPSC has warned of the shoes risk when using escalators in the past but with the summer here, they are bringing it to the public’s attention once again.
Consumer Reports has a good article on the subject with a useful bulleted list of safety tips for escalator use. Check it out… but Safe Mama recommends not wearing Crocs™ to the mall or places that have escalators. And be careful on those escalators with kids.
Recycling Tip: I recently stumbled on a website that offers a great recycling option for the shoes. SolesUnited (I can’t tell if this is part of the Crocs™ team or not) collects used shoes and grinds them up to make new shoes for underdeveloped countries and also uses the recycled shoes for playground flooring. You can find a participating store near you on the website or get the mailing address of where to ship your used shoes.
Links:
Related articles:
- President Signs Product Safety Bill!
- Parents are Frustrated over recall delay
- 2007 The Year of the Recall
US Consumer Product Safety Commission - Recent Child-Related Product Recalls- Pendants and Candle Charms Recalled Due to Risk of Lead ExposureThe recalled metal pendants and charms contain high levels of lead.
- Optave Inc. Recalls Action Baby Carriers Due to Fall HazardThe baby carrier's chest strap can detach from the shoulder straps, posing a fall hazard to the baby.
- Circo Children's Bobbie Socks Recalled Due to Choking Hazard; Sold Exclusively at TargetThe ribbon on the sock can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.
- Hooded Sweaters Recalled by Empress Arts; Children Can Strangle on DrawstringsThe sweaters have drawstrings through the hood. Children can get entangled in the drawstrings that can catch on playground equipment, fences or tree branches. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist drawstring in upper garments, such as jackets and sweatshirts. From 1985 through June 2008, CPSC received reports of 27 deaths and 70 non-fatal incidents involving the entanglement of children's clothing drawstrings.
- Bonne Bell Recalls Children's Cosmetics Accessory Bags Due to Risk of Lead ExposureThe metal clasps on the handle of the accessory bags contain excessive levels of lead, which is toxic if ingested and can cause adverse health effects.
- Pendants and Candle Charms Recalled Due to Risk of Lead Exposure
- FDA Press Releases
- FDA to Post Quarterly Report of Potential Safety Issues
- FDA Approves DNA Test to Measure Hepatitis B Virus Levels
- FDA: Manufacturers of TNF-Blocker Drugs Must Highlight Risk of Fungal Infections
- FDA Approves Software Update that Identifies Potential Defibrillator Lead Fractures
- FDA Clears Test to Help Doctors Manage Heart Transplant Patients
- US FDA/CFSAN Food & Cosmetic Announcements
- Food Safety Information for Hurricanes, Power Outages, and Floods
- Salmonella Saintpaul Outbreak - Update
- Survey Data on Lead in Women's and Children's Vitamins
- Web-Based Training Module, "ALERT: Food Defense Awareness" Now Available in Spanish
- FDA Announces Final Rule Amending the Food Additive Regulations to Allow for the Irradiation of Fresh Iceberg Lettuce and Fresh Spinach
- EWG: Enviroblog
- ConsumerAffairs.Com Recalls and Safety Alerts
Popular Articles
- BPA Free Bottle and Sippy Cup Cheat Sheet
- BPA Free Pacifiers and Teethers Cheat Sheet
- Cheat Sheet: Paraben and Phthalate Free Baby Products
- Baby Skin Care Products: A Quick Users Guide
- SafeMama's Safer Sunscreen Showdown!
- Gerber Baby Food and Number 7 Plastics
- FAQ: What's In My Toddler's Toothbrush?
- Avent Launching BPA Free Bottle Summer of 08
- Bisphenol-a (BPA) Crash Course
- Rubbermaid Lists BPA Free Products
SafeMama Approved Vendors
SafeMama Elsewhere
SafeMama MySpace!
Join our Facebook Group
Follow Us on Twitter
We Squidoo