Sneakers Cause 9-Year-Old To Get 2nd Degree Chemical Burns
Sherry Foster, a mother from New York, issued a horrifying warning on her Facebook page that her son’s Skechers S-Lights caused chemical burns to her son’s feet.
Nine-year-old Peyton was participating in an activity at school on June 24th that involved water, which caused his sneakers to get wet. The S-Lights contain lights that are powered by a battery, which leaked corrosive chemicals and caused second-degree burns to both of Peyton’s feet.
Foster said
“[Peyton] did not complain to his teacher. He waited until the next day until he came home to tell us. The day it happened he came home and said ‘my feet hurt.'”
They were a little bit red, I didn’t think anything of it – maybe that they were cold from playing in the water. The next day he come home and was really complaining. That’s when we decided, okay, what do we do, so we took him to a doctor.
She’d [the doctor] seen it one other time, that’s what gave it away. He had second degree chemical burns.”
Peyton was prescribed an antibiotic cream to help with his blisters, and would start taking steroids a couple of days later. It is believed Peyton will make a full recovery in three weeks, however he has been left with a fear of wearing shoes.
“He was in quite a bit of pain. He wasn’t able to walk, or run, or go swimming, or anything that would cause his feet further irritation. We had to carry him. There wasn’t much that he could do.
I felt horrible, absolutely horrible. He’s worried and stuff. He’s nine, so he understands a little bit better. If it had happened to another child, or someone younger, it could be even more stressful for them. It’s left him with a phobia of wearing shoes,” Foster said.
After learning about the incident from Foster’s Facebook post, Sketchers have contacted the Foster family and their statement reads;
Skechers footwear products are rigorously tested for safety. Skechers, a family brand, has sold tens of millions of pairs of children’s lighted footwear worldwide and has not had one incident of chemical burns reported.
Notwithstanding, when Ms. Foster’s Facebook post was brought to our attention we immediately contacted her, inquired about her son, and asked her to send us the shoes so we can determine whether the shoes contributed to her son’s injuries. Ms. Foster has agreed to send us the shoes, and we will continue our investigation.
Despite the lack of any other similar reported incidents, we are taking this complaint very seriously and giving it the highest priority.
