Here’s the latest finding by Japan’s National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE): Crocs + Poorly Lubricated Escalators = Accidents (Ouch!)

No. I’m not talking about crocodiles. But the beach sandals with the brand name “Crocs”.

There was an investigation into the series of accidents involving children getting their feet caught in escalators when wearing these sandals.

NITE officials said that 66 accidents caused by people wearing the sandals on escalators had occurred since last summer. In many of the cases, the victims were children of elementary school age or younger.

In its survey, NITE compared resin sandals produced by U.S. company Crocs and seven similar products with sports shoes and other sandals not made from resin. It found that only the resin sandals got caught.

Factors contributing to the accidents were that the sandals were soft and thin, did not slip easily, and stretched easily.

It also emerged that when lubricants were applied to the steps and side of the escalator, the same resin footwear did not get caught. The Japan Elevator Association has guidelines promoting the use of lubricants when maintenance work is carried out on escalators, but it has no binding power.

Source: Mainichi Japan

So there you have it, don’t bring your crocs along when you go onto the escalators.

Actually, there was a series of similar accidents in Singapore involving the same brand of sandals as well.

I also owned a pair of those sandals previously but I threw them away already cause I fear for my toes.