A mother from New York has issued an urgent safety warning to parents ahead of the festive season, after her son sustained severe chemical burns from a pair of popular light-up shoes.
The Incident: A School Day Turns Painful
Sherry Foster, 52, recounted how her then nine-year-old son, Peyton, took part in a water activities day at school in 2018 while wearing his Skechers S-Lights shoes. After the footwear got wet, Peyton complained of minor pain that evening. Foster, who works in healthcare, initially noticed only redness on his feet.
The situation deteriorated rapidly overnight. By the next day, Peyton's feet had become increasingly sore, developed blisters, and he was struggling to walk. A visit to their doctor confirmed the worst: Peyton had suffered second-degree chemical burns. He was prescribed an antibiotic cream and steroids to treat the injuries.
Lasting Impact and a Lifelong Aversion
The incident, which Foster alleges was caused by battery acid leaking from the shoes' lights when they became wet, has had a permanent effect. Now 16 years old, Peyton has recovered but still experiences mild tingling and numbness in the affected area.
"He absolutely refuses to wear any light-up shoes – it has impacted him for life," Foster stated. She added that, ironically, she still wears Skechers daily, but would never purchase light-up footwear again.
Safety Advice and Manufacturer's Response
Ahead of Christmas, a time when such shoes are popular gifts, Foster is urging other parents to exercise extreme caution. Her key safety recommendations are:
- Always ensure children wear socks with light-up shoes.
- Avoid allowing children to wear them in "extreme water conditions."
- Take any complaints of burning feet seriously and seek medical attention.
Foster claimed that Skechers paid a settlement following the incident, which she has used to start a college fund for Peyton.
In a statement to Jam Press this week, a Skechers spokesperson reiterated the company's position from 2018, emphasising that their products are rigorously tested for safety. The spokesperson stated that the batteries in their lighted footwear are in a sealed container designed to prevent water ingress and chemical leakage.
The company noted that since the reported incident seven years ago, tens of millions of pairs of children's lighted shoes have been sold worldwide, and the case reported by Ms. Foster remains the only one of its kind they are aware of. They also said an examination of the shoes provided by Foster found nothing wrong with them.
Nevertheless, the stark warning from a concerned mother serves as a seasonal reminder for all parents to be vigilant about the potential risks associated with electronic items in children's wear, especially when they might get wet.
