Watch your step on the escalators during the shopping rush.

When you think about it, escalators are kind of scary. They’re oversized mechanical stairs with menacing “teeth” waiting for you at the other end. No wonder up to 7,500 children end up in the emergency room each year from escalator-related accidents. Now, the New York Times reports that Crocs, those so-ugly-they're-cool gardening shoes, are contributing to escalator mishaps because the soft rubber can get caught in the moving steps. Since we plan to spend many, many pre-holiday hours in the malls, usually with kids in tow, we asked Mom•Logic friend Safety Dad for a few escalator tips:

• Be aware that loose shoelaces, drawstrings, scarves, and mittens can get trapped in escalators.
• Don’t rest your handbag or parcels on the handrail.
• Always hold children's hands on escalators, and don't permit children to sit or play on the steps.
• Don't bring children onto escalators in strollers, walkers, or carts.
• Avoid the edges of steps where entrapment can occur.
• Learn where the emergency shutoff buttons are in case you need to stop the escalator.
• When exiting, immediately move clear of the escalator exit area—don’t stop to talk or look around— others may be exiting behind you.

And, of course, the most obvious warning, never, ever let a child try to run up the down escalator!