“My Son Got Second-Degree Burns from Chemicals in His Light-Up Shoes”
It was supposed to be just another fun pair of shoes—those light-up sneakers every kid seems to love. My son, eight years old and full of energy, begged for them after seeing a commercial where every step lit up in a burst of color. They seemed harmless enough. Flashy, fun, and popular—what could go wrong?
At first, he was obsessed. He’d stomp around the house, watching the lights flicker with each step, grinning ear to ear. He even wanted to sleep with them next to his bed. But just a few days later, everything changed. One evening, after coming home from playing outside, he started crying, saying his foot felt like it was burning. I assumed maybe he had stepped on something sharp or hot. But when I took off the shoe, I was shocked. His sock was damp, and the skin on the side of his foot was red, blistered, and raw.
We rushed him to the emergency room. The diagnosis: second-degree chemical burns. The doctors said the likely cause was a leakage from the battery or chemical components used in the shoe’s lighting mechanism. I couldn’t believe it. How could something designed for children end up doing something so dangerous?
My son had to undergo treatment for weeks. The burns were painful, requiring special creams, bandaging, and in some places, debridement. He couldn’t walk properly for days. Bath time was traumatic. Sleeping was difficult. But the emotional toll was just as heavy. He became anxious, especially about shoes, and was afraid to put anything on his feet that wasn’t soft or familiar. He even asked if he’d ever be able to run again.
I did everything I could to find out how this could’ve happened. I researched the brand and discovered several similar complaints online, though few had gained major attention. Some reported leaking gel, others described burns and chemical reactions. Yet the shoes were still being sold, often at low prices and in bright packaging meant to catch a child’s eye.
We filed a report with the Consumer Product Safety Commission. I contacted the manufacturer—only to receive a cold, canned response and no offer to help with medical bills. That made me angrier than anything else. If something meant for kids can potentially cause burns, why is it even on the shelves?
Now, I’m speaking out because no other parent should go through what we did. Kids’ products need to be safe, especially when they involve batteries, chemicals, or electronics. There should be stricter testing, more transparency, and clear recalls when something goes wrong. I want parents to double-check what’s in their child’s shoes, toys, and wearables. Because we never think the danger is going to come from a pair of sneakers. But sometimes, it does.
My son is healing, slowly. The scars are fading, both physical and emotional. But this experience will always stay with us—a reminder to never assume something is safe just because it’s sold in a kids’ aisle.
“My Son Got Second-Degree Burns from Chemicals in His Light-Up Shoes”
It was supposed to be just another fun pair of shoes—those light-up sneakers every kid seems to love. My son, eight years old and full of energy, begged for them after seeing a commercial where every step lit up in a burst of color. They seemed harmless enough. Flashy, fun, and popular—what could go wrong?
At first, he was obsessed. He’d stomp around the house, watching the lights flicker with each step, grinning ear to ear. He even wanted to sleep with them next to his bed. But just a few days later, everything changed. One evening, after coming home from playing outside, he started crying, saying his foot felt like it was burning. I assumed maybe he had stepped on something sharp or hot. But when I took off the shoe, I was shocked. His sock was damp, and the skin on the side of his foot was red, blistered, and raw.
We rushed him to the emergency room. The diagnosis: second-degree chemical burns. The doctors said the likely cause was a leakage from the battery or chemical components used in the shoe’s lighting mechanism. I couldn’t believe it. How could something designed for children end up doing something so dangerous?
My son had to undergo treatment for weeks. The burns were painful, requiring special creams, bandaging, and in some places, debridement. He couldn’t walk properly for days. Bath time was traumatic. Sleeping was difficult. But the emotional toll was just as heavy. He became anxious, especially about shoes, and was afraid to put anything on his feet that wasn’t soft or familiar. He even asked if he’d ever be able to run again.
I did everything I could to find out how this could’ve happened. I researched the brand and discovered several similar complaints online, though few had gained major attention. Some reported leaking gel, others described burns and chemical reactions. Yet the shoes were still being sold, often at low prices and in bright packaging meant to catch a child’s eye.
We filed a report with the Consumer Product Safety Commission. I contacted the manufacturer—only to receive a cold, canned response and no offer to help with medical bills. That made me angrier than anything else. If something meant for kids can potentially cause burns, why is it even on the shelves?
Now, I’m speaking out because no other parent should go through what we did. Kids’ products need to be safe, especially when they involve batteries, chemicals, or electronics. There should be stricter testing, more transparency, and clear recalls when something goes wrong. I want parents to double-check what’s in their child’s shoes, toys, and wearables. Because we never think the danger is going to come from a pair of sneakers. But sometimes, it does.
My son is healing, slowly. The scars are fading, both physical and emotional. But this experience will always stay with us—a reminder to never assume something is safe just because it’s sold in a kids’ aisle.
