Momlogic's pediatrician reacts to recent warnings about these kinds of shoes.

Dr. Gwenn writes: "This week, the Good Housekeeping Research Institute warned parents against allowing kids to wear Crocs on escalators. And with good cause. The material of Crocs is so soft, that in 2006, multiple national news stations reported stories of children's feet being literally sucked into escalators causing serious injury.  Riding in the center of the escalator helps but, in my opinion, not wearing Crocs on escalators is the only way to ensure true safety.

"And although crocs do cover the foot, they just don't fit well. This causes falls and injury from feet twisting about in the shoe and from the shoes themselves coming off during use. 

"As for heelys, they may look like sneakers, but they are far from it. Because they have wheels, they are really a cousin of roller skates and inline skates, and should be thought of the same way right down to the protective equipment needed for use (helmet and knee, wrist and elbow pads). 

"The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended full protective gear for roller skates and inline skates since 1998, and last year published a study in Pediatrics about Heelys that came to the same conclusion. In fact, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission reported in 2007 that one death and at least 64 roller-shoe injuries could be blamed on the footwear.

"I'm all for freedom of expression with footwear, but safety has to come first. If a shoe doesn't fit like a sneaker, it shouldn't be worn as a sneaker. If a shoe has wheels, it is really a piece of sporting equipment and should be treated the same way."

For more from Dr. Gwenn, click here.

Will you stop your kids from wearing Crocs or Heelys?