Any parent's worst nightmare is having their child be harmed or injured. In this case, we always make sure to avoid any safety hazards our children may encounter, whether in our homes or outside. But what if even their own little shoes can also place them in danger?
With the number of times children have had their Crocs stuck in an escalator, parents should probably stop letting them use these rubber shoes.
Of course, it is also important for parents to be extremely careful when letting their kids ride escalators. Younger ones, especially, will tend to be active and playful. Pair that with some flexible rubber shoes, and your child might just have their little foot caught in an escalator.
Horrifying Incidents of Kids Having their Crocs Stuck in an Escalator
Toddler Wearing Crocs Gets Foot Stuck In An Escalator
After having his son's Crocs get stuck in an escalator at VivoCity, this dad in Singapore took to Facebook to speak up about the 'traumatic' incident.
On 13 September 2020, Samuel Lee (not his real name) shared how he and his two kids stepped on the escalator to get to level 1 of the building. His son was holding on to his left hand while his daughter was holding the right one.
While the father thought "there was nothing unusual about the situation", he was horrified by the events that happened shortly after.
"About [a] few seconds later, suddenly I felt my son was in distress, and that was when I realized his whole foot was already sucked into the side of the escalator. It was too late to take it out," Samuel wrote in his post.
He added, "As some of you have rightly guessed, yes, he was wearing Crocs shoes."
Thankfully, someone had already pressed the escalator's stop button before things could get worse. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) then arrived around 5 to 10 minutes later to provide assistance.
According to Samuel, it took about 30 minutes for them to free his son's leg. The 3-year-old was then immediately rushed to the National University Hospital (NUH).
"Through the grace of God, there was no visible fracture on his foot, except for some minor skin abrasion. He was discharged from NUH on the same day but will need to follow up with paediatric orthopaedic," he wrote.
He also made sure to add, "While I am still trying to get over the traumatic experience, I want to share with you that accident can happen to anyone, whether you are aware or unaware of it."
Boy Has His Toe Ripped Off After His Crocs Shoe Got Stuck In An Escalator
Another father recalls the "terrifying" moment when his five-year-old son's toe was torn off after his shoe was sucked into an escalator at a luxury hotel in Dubai.
Ben Wood shares how they were simply going down the escalator when his son suddenly started screaming. His wife was also shouting about how their son was stuck while holding onto him.
According to Mr Wood, his son Samuel's foot was "gripped like a tyre to the metal of the side". As the escalator went down, his foot was going further inside, so the father had to yank him out.
"His bone was exposed, and there was blood everywhere. It just gobbled his foot up," Mr Wood told Evening Standard. The young boy reportedly lost his toe due to the incident.
What was meant to be a holiday to celebrate the boy's birthday ended up with him spending it in a hospital after he underwent surgery.
Facebook user Casey Chen says "Crocs NO MORE" after he shares a post of his own escalator incident with his daughter. The incident happened at an airport in Hong Kong when their family was just about to return to Singapore.
4-year-old Olive had on a pair of said rubber boat shoes when she also had her little foot stuck to the side of an escalator. Luckily, her mother was quick enough to pull her foot out. While the toddler is alright, she did get some surface injuries.
"I want to warn parents with this post - Crocs NO MORE. Too dangerous!!" Mr Chen wrote in his post.
5 Safety Tips to Keep in Mind When Taking Your Kids to the Mall
- Always be alert to what your child is doing. While doing some leisure shopping, ensure that you keep an eye on your little one. If you happen to be preoccupied, have someone else you trust to look after them, such as your spouse or helper.
- Do not allow your child to play near escalators or lifts. Teach them to stay in the middle of the escalator steps and hold their hand until they step off.
- When bringing a stroller, best to take the lift instead. Avoid taking strollers up or down escalators.
- Instruct your child about what they should do if they ever find themselves lost. Tell them they can either go to the lobby or inform a security officer. It would also help to have them memorise your phone number in case of emergencies.
- Remind your helper or caregiver to always have their attention on your child whenever they go out.
What to Do When Your Kid's Shoe is Stuck in Escalator
Stay calm and assess the situation.
In any emergency, maintaining a calm and composed mindset is crucial to effectively addressing the issue. When faced with the distressing scenario of a child's shoe becoming stuck in an escalator, it is essential to resist panic and focus on objectively assessing the situation.
Take a moment to observe the position of the shoe and any potential hazards that may arise from attempting to remove it. By staying calm and conducting a thorough evaluation of the circumstances, you can make informed decisions and take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and well-being of your child.
Do not try to pull.
Attempting to forcibly pull your child's shoe from the escalator is not recommended. While the instinct to free the shoe immediately is understandable, resisting the temptation to use excessive force is important.
Pulling forcefully may result in further entanglement of the shoe or even cause injury to your child or yourself. Instead, following the proper procedures and seeking assistance from trained escalator maintenance personnel or staff members nearby is crucial.
They have the necessary knowledge and tools to safely resolve the situation and prevent any potential harm. Remember, prioritising your child's safety should always be the top priority in such circumstances.
Contact emergency personnel immediately.
If a child's shoe becomes stuck in an escalator, it is imperative to contact emergency personnel immediately. This includes notifying authorities such as security personnel, mall management, or any available staff members who can initiate the appropriate emergency response protocols.
Promptly reaching out to these individuals ensures that trained professionals are informed and can swiftly address the situation.
They possess the expertise and resources necessary to safely extricate the shoe from the escalator and safeguard the well-being of your child.
Remember, swift action and proper communication are key in emergencies to minimise potential risks or injuries.
With reports from Jia Ling.
Source: Stomp, Evening Standard, Taiwan News
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