| GEO Amazing and Interesting | | Flip-flops 'can cause injuries' | Updated at: 1013 PST, Saturday, July 31, 2010
 LONDON: Prolonged wearing of flip-flops on hard flat surfaces can cause considerable foot and leg problems, say experts.
Flip flops costs the National Health Services, in the United Kingdom, around 40 million pounds a year.
Around 200,000 people see their doctors or even end up in accident and emergency after falling victim to the footwear.
"Prolonged wearing on hard flat surfaces can cause considerable foot and leg problems," a local newspaper quoted podiatrist Emma Supple as saying.
Insurers in Norwich Union have warned that drivers in flip-flops can lose control of their car.
Once just a beach essential, the flip- flop is now considered to be fashionable footwear, worn by a whole host of celebrities while out and about.
Today, one in five women own a pair of flip- flops.
As well as slips and falls, the spongy thonged sandals also lead to various long-term dangers, say safety experts.
Because of their design, flip- flops change the way the wearer walks, leading to twisted or broken ankles, stubbed toes, shin splints, fallen arches and muscle pain.
According to You Claim, who offer legal advice following an injury, a worrying number of motorists wear flip- flops to drive, which can lead to a loss of control on the pedals and cause serious accidents.
Besides flip- flops, there are a number of other seemingly harmless household items that can lead to freak injuries.
According to a survey by Yours magazine, six out of 10 people have accidentally stabbed themselves when trying to prise open the top of a jar or opening a ready meal with a knife.
The most common injuries suffered were cuts and bruises to the hand.
And the Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents has found that 2.7million people attend A&E after an accident at home each year while 4000 people are killed.
They call home accidents the "hidden epidemic". |  | | | |
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