The other day, I realized I’d been stuffing my nearly two-year-old’s feet into over-stretched 6-12 month infant socks. Oops. With two kids, tons of job applications, numerous volunteer “jobs”, and a new kitten…things get, ahem, overlooked. But I digress. While out shopping, I made amends by letting him pick out whichever socks he’d like to get. He pointed to a 4-pack, I tossed it in the cart, and we headed home. I barely gave them a second look. At home, I noticed this on the label:
Maybe it’s just me, but I was intrigued. Safety Toes? Socks…”created with my safety in mind?” I had no idea socks could somehow be made safer. Heck, I also couldn’t think of a way to make them more dangerous, either. I was instantly reminded of Lenore Skenazy and her calls for parents to basically chill the heck out on the “child-proof-everything-now!!!” and let kids be (see my previous post about how some have dubbed her “World’s Worst Mother” for this, but that’s a topic for another day!).
Apparently, these babies are lined with a weird, pantyhose-like lining so toddlers can’t somehow get their tiny toes entangled in a stray thread, lose circulation, and end up with amputated digits.
Now, I’ve come across some over the top childproofing items in my time as a mom, including the rubber ducky that alerts mom and dad to too-warm bath water (um, why not use your finger to test it?), and kneepads for crawling babies (don’t get me started…), but I’d never considered the danger that loose sock threads are apparently posing to my child’s sweet little tootsies.
It seems every time we parents turn around there’s something else we should be worrying about/considering/feeling guilty about. Honestly, I don’t care if the socks have linings. If they’d been plugged as warmer or longer lasting, I’d probably even consider it a plus. However, I’m slowly growing tired of being told my kids are in danger around every corner. At some point, the childproofing goes too far.
So I will continue to put straps on the heavy furniture, make sure the car seats are properly installed, remind them to wear their helmets while riding bikes, and plug the electrical outlets…but that’s pretty much where my child safety panic ends. I refuse to worry about sock threads. And I don’t feel guilty about that. 🙂
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[…] Can we please discuss “Safety Toes” for a minute? by Sarah […]
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No, I just can’t discuss “Safety Toes” with you. Not even for a moment. I just . . . can’t. I’m laughing too hard. SO STUPID! 😛
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Can I just tell you how hilarious this post is?! I have never even heard of such a thing, haha! Mia did get a piece of HAIR wrapped around her toe once, but not string from a sock. And I am totally guilty of stuffing her feet into socks she’s outgrown :). Great post.
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This happened to us too MG! Miles had one of my hairs stuck around his toe and kept complaining that his toes hurt. However, I did not for one second consider shaving my head to prevent a repeat, so I guess that makes me a risk-taker 🙂 Haha! Thanks Sarah for the post!
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I love your little guy at the end with his “dangerous socks!”
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Hahahahahah- he certainly doesn’t seem to be laughing!! 🙂
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I have to laugh at this because one day, I took off my girl’s sock and her toe had a piece of string wrapped around it, cutting off the circulation! Who knew the dangers that lurked inside of a sock??? Like Moms don’t have enough to worry about. I still wouldn’t buy these.
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Ohhhh no!!! It really happens?! I hope she was ok!!
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That poor child! Look at the concern on his face!!!!! 🙂
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He is quite worried!!
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umm… i bought these same socks for Jake at target- but simply because of the fact that they were Thomas socks! I had no idea that i was saving him from imminent amputation. um mother of the year?
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Marie- Same reasoning here hahahahaha. Josh pointed and made a train noise. I said “Ok, sounds good!” hahahahahah. I guess the added bonus is they won’t lose toes…ha
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haha – that is so funny. and crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anything to sell more socks I guess.
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I guess so! Hah! There’s really not much else you can do to change how SOCKS are made I guess, hahahahhaah
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These should be advertised on TV with the blue screen that says, “But wait! There’s more! Call now and we’ll quadruple your order!” How cheesy.
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They really do sound like the perfect As Seen on TV item!
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Whaaaat??? Safety Socks?? this is craziness!
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I know! I don’t even know what else could possibly be childproofed hahahahahah
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I hear ya, Sister! Absolutely! Now that Maya wrap has become popular they have a HUGE safety warning stitched into it and I just want to RIP IT OUT!!!!
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DO IT!!! 🙂 I sighed EVERY TIME I nursed with a Boppy at the warning label, which ends with something like “Read this tag before each use”…
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Ha! Who knew socks could be dangerous? 😛
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I know! Sheesh! hahahahahaa
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