Malls issue warning for croc wearers on escalators

Many shopping malls have issued reminders for customers wearing crocs, or rubber plastic sandals with air holes, encouraging them to take lifts instead of escalators, as such shoes may easily get caught into the steps and get jammed, China Central Television reported.

Crocs have gained popularity in China in recent years as they are considered stylish, easy to put on and take off, and have enough airflow to keep feet dry during hot days.

However, these shoes are also more at risk of getting jammed by escalator steps. In May, the shoe of a 2-year-old wearing crocs were caught in escalators at Ningbo Railway Station and had to resort to firefighters. According to a report by Hunan Television in 2020, a 3-year-old boy wearing such shoes got caught in the escalator, and had to undergo a two-hour surgery to reconnect nerves in his big toe.

In the CCTV report, during an experiment with firefighters, a croc was easily caught in the side of an escalator and almost shredded to half.

"Crocs are about 20 percent wider in the head than regular shoes, and are thicker on the bottom," said Li Heng, director of Beijing Youth Security Center, affiliated with the Beijing Charity Volunteer Federation.

Li told the Beijing Evening News that such designs are meant to make the shoes more comfortable, but they also bring them closer to the combs of escalators when standing on the steps.

The rubber material creates more friction against escalator skirts and steps, making it much more difficult to get away if the shoes jam, Li said, adding the shoes are very soft and easily deformed, which increases risks.

Experts reminded the public to be careful if they had to take escalators while wearing crocs. "People should keep away from the edges of the steps and stride when exiting the escalator instead of just waiting for the conveying belt," said Wei Zhifeng, a firefighter squad leader in Yangjiang, Guangdong province. He added in emergencies, people should press the emergency stop button immediately.