Flip Flops are Dangerous
Flip Flops are cute. They come in a variety of colors, materials, and overall styles. They're easy to slip on to run to the store or take the dog out.
But, flip flops can be dangerous.
It is easy to trip over a flip flop. I recently tripped on my flip flops. They sandal bent under my foot tripping me. Not a week later, I hear a story about a women who also tripped on her flip flop; she currently lies in a hospital bed with brain trauma.
There are many dangers that should be taken into account when wearing flip flops, as the hazards can be serious.
In general, flip flops cause changes in your gait and how you walk. Wearing flip flops make you take shorter steps. The heel hits the ground with more force, and you don't bring up the toes as high.
The grip your toes use to hold onto the flip flop is not good for the way your walk.
When you change the way that you walk, you can develop lower leg problems.If you don't want to get rid of your flip flops, you can find sandals that have arch and heel support, but it's still not recommended to wear flip flops for long amounts of time where you have to walk long distances.
Common dangers with wearing flip flops include:
- Broken toes
- Fractured bones
- Toenails ripping off
- Scraps and bruises (from trips and falls while wearing flip flops)
- Short and long-term issues with ankles, hips, and knees
- Pain (caused by tension in the plantar fascia tissue from toe scrunching)
- Sprained ankles
No matter how comfortable you think flip flops are, the general flip flop does not provide any support, which can cause ankles, legs, knees, hips and back problems.
In addition to short- and long-term dangers associated with walking in flip flops, there are dangers when driving in open-heeled sandals. Studies show that when wearing flip flops while driving, the sandal can slip off and wedge underneath the pedals. The sandal can also slip off and get stuck in or under the floor mat, causing complications when pressing the gas and/or brake pedal.
