Where Not?
Some situations to avoid:

• Sidewalks With Too Much Broken Glass
  In some parts of town, there will be sidewalks where you see a few flecks of broken glass. Older children and adults can be taught to navigate through stretches of this with minimal danger. As long as you never drag your feet and step down carefully, problems are unlikely. Even if a small splinter "sticks" to the sole .. it's normally quite easy to pull off. Usually the skin isn't even broken and even if it is, such tiny wounds will seal quickly. Of course, you aren't going to want this to be anything more than an extremely rare occurrence. If there really is too much glass (or more than a short stretch), go around it or put sandals on. Smaller children can be picked up or led around these hazards. Older children soon learn (with only a little explanation and encouragement) how to cope in this situation. You will also get to know which streets and areas tend to have this hazard. Please don't scare your children by exaggerating this hazard ... but show them how to respect and cope with it. We often hear parents say that their children must wear shoes all the time because "there might be glass". To us this is an over-reaction to a risk which, while real, can certainly be managed.

• Hot Pavement
  In summer, dark surfaces in full sunlight can get very hot. Since you can't always predict this situation ahead of time (if you can, just have them bring their sandals), here are some ways for them to cope with it:   Have them:
  • Try to walk on the lighter colored surfaces (e.g. the white lines at the edge of pedestrian crossings.)
  • Keep moving and move faster over the hot-spots.
  • Look for any shadows (next to parked cars for example). These will be much cooler.
  • Walk on any adjacent grass instead of the sidewalk
  • Cool the feet in with available water
  • If none of this helps ... go back and get sandals.

  Generally, kids that go barefoot a lot have tougher feet and can tolerate heat for much longer. They will also have learned the above strategies very well.

Places for children to go barefoot