Crocs are cool and they are very comfy, but there have been increasing reports of the colorful, flexible shoes getting caught in escalators and causing foot injuries to their young wearers.

The rubbery shoes are particularly dangerous when worn on escalators because they can get wedged between the edge of the escalator and the moving stairs. Kids are particularly at risk due to their small size/weight and the fact that most kids tend to move around or fidget when riding on escalators.

The increase in injuries has prompted the Washington Metro subway service and American Girl Place, among others, to post Crocs warning signs near their escalators. The Crocs company, however, is taking credit for raising escalator safety awareness in the wake of the injuries.

For more information, here are few news stories:

• Boy Wearing Crocs is Hurt on Escalator
• Crocs Reported to Cause Injury on Escalator 
• Parents Worried About Crocs-Escaltor Accidents 

Next time you take the kids to the mall, leave the crocs at home.

About 30 minutes later her daughter started vomiting, and at that point there was no question that she was taking her daughter in that instant. As it turns out, the little girl suffered a concussion.

According to Dr. Gwenn of Pediatrics Now:

Head injury can cause external injuries to the scalp or skull as well as internal injuries to the brain such as bruises, bleeding, and concussions. Any internal brain injury can be serious but concussions are the most common and can be the least obvious. A concussion occurs when the brain is shaken causing a temporary disruption in how the different nerves talk to each other, similar to a power surge at home. Symptoms vary and often include seeing stars, being dazed, blurred vision, nausea and occasionally amnesia. With more serious concussions, headache, vomiting, balance problems and changing levels of consciousness may occur. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to have a concussion without loosing consciousness and even minor head injury can cause concussions.

The little girl spent a few days in the hospital under careful watch from her doctors and while she is feeling good now, she has to go back for a follow up CT scan before she will get a clean bill of health.

Help prevent head injuries by requiring your children to wear helmets when riding bikes, scooters, and skates. Educate yourself and your child on head injury risks in the sports they play – and how to minimize the risk. If your child has had a head injury, do not rush a return to activity. Consult with your family doctor for guidance on when to return to activities.

For more information on head injuries in children, I recommend Dr. Gwenn’s post on head injuries at Pediatrics Now.