Why You Should Tie Your Laces
Beyond causing accidents, untied footwear can also lead to hygiene and safety issues and extreme cases, even death. I learned the hard way as a teenager about the pitfalls of having untied shoelaces.
Whether you're young or old, this is a lesson that we can all benefit from. So, let's take a closer look at why something as small as tying our shoelaces can make a big difference in keeping us safe and injury-free.
In this article, I want to share my experiences, observations, and insights into the dangers of not properly tying your shoelaces.
Unknotting the Mystery: Why Even the Tightest Laces Can Come Undone
While it's easy to assume that everyone with untied shoelaces is simply lazy, it's essential to recognise that sometimes it's not a matter of neglect.
A study published in the Royal Society Journal revealed the surprising truth about shoelace knots: even the tightest knots can unravel unexpectedly! The culprit? A combination of repeated impacts and whipping motions during walking. These forces loosen the knot, leading to a sudden "runaway untangling". While the best knot can minimise the risk, no knot is entirely foolproof.
My Unfortunate Experience With Untied Shoelaces
One morning, I was given pocket money by my boarding "approved" school to take the bus to do some voluntary work in the local town. Instead, I chose to spend the money on cigarettes and took my friends' bicycle (without permission) and cycled instead.
Unfortunately, my untied shoelace got tangled in the chain cog, causing me to lose control. I was propelled into the middle of the road and hit by a car, causing severe injuries to my leg and arm, injuries that I still suffer from decades later. The pain has become a constant reminder of the consequences of my reckless behavior that day
In hindsight, I should not have been on a bike in the first place, let alone on a dual carriageway without lights in the dark, and with my shoelaces undone!
Even if I hadn't been hit by the car due to my untied shoelaces, my lack of proper safety measures such as using lights on my bike could have potentially caused an accident or injury to myself and other drivers on the road.
This experience made me realise that taking safety measures like having lights on my bike is as crucial as remembering to tie my shoelaces.
Walking around without your shoelaces tied up is like driving a car with a loose steering wheel — you may still be able to get where you're going, but you'll have less control and stability.
Dangerous Shoelace Pranks
I also remember playing pranks on my classmate who had their shoelaces undone by sneakily tying them to their desk, or together. Thanks to my past experiences with untied shoelaces, I was always too aware to fall for the shoelace prank myself.
However, looking back, I realise how dangerous the shoelace prank could have been if my classmates had to evacuate quickly in an emergency, especially if their shoelaces were tied to each other.
On another occasion, I almost caused my friend to get run over when I accidentally stepped on his untied shoelace while we were walking along the pavement, sending him tumbling forward into the road. Luckily, it was not busy!
Warning Others
Since then, I have made it a habit to alert anyone I see with their shoelaces untied, and if I have the time, I share my story with them, and the health and safety issues as well as the dangers
However, when I tell some people, they express gratitude and immediately tie them up, while others simply thank me and walk off without taking any action to secure them.
Let's be real here if someone's fly is undone, I'm probably not going to say anything. I mean, the embarrassment factor alone is enough to make me cringe. And let's face it, having your fly undone is a minor inconvenience compared to having your shoelaces undone.
If you're looking for some inspiration to help you or your children keep your shoelaces tied and prevent accidents, then this article will explore some of the obvious and not-so-obvious reasons why having your shoelaces tied up is important.
Why You Should Keep Your Shoelaces Tied
If someone is going up or down stairs or on uneven ground, untied shoelaces could cause them to lose their balance and end up taking a flight of stairs they didn't plan for!
If you don't want to become a human speed bump, tie your shoelaces tight when carrying heavy things or walking in crowded areas.
Tied shoelaces are crucial for preventing accidents and injuries, unlike untied shoelaces that can increase the risk of tripping, falling, and injuring yourself, especially if walking, running, or playing sports. Wearing properly tied shoelaces can allow you to perform at your best.
It's not just a matter of tripping and falling; some falls can be deadly, and the statistics are shocking. Every year, millions of people are affected by falls, with thousands suffering injuries and fatalities. But with the right preventative measures, you can reduce your risk and stay safe.
The Hidden Dangers of Untied Shoelaces: Let's Look at the Data
According to a study conducted by researchers, untied shoelaces were responsible for more than 1,000 cases of loss of footing in children, and they were the cause of over 67% of the falls.
So, if you want to avoid tripping over your feet, tie your shoelaces tight like your life depends on it — because it just might!
In a fire or any other emergency where you need to make a quick escape, tied shoelaces can prevent your footwear from falling off, giving you a better chance of escaping safely.
In situations where speed and agility are crucial for survival, such as during a terrorist attack or emergency evacuation, every second can make all the difference.
Also, imagine getting involved in a street fight while your laces are untied. Your footwear could slip off, or your laces could get stepped on leaving you vulnerable and less able to defend yourself.
Tying your shoelaces is like hugging your shoes. They'll thank you for it by keeping you upright!
Laces Caught in Machinery
Untied laces could get caught up in moving machinery or parts, including lifts, escalators, automatic sliding doors, factories, construction sites, or any other place where heavy machinery is.
If a construction worker or farmer is operating a power tool with one or both laces untied, they could get caught in the tool's moving parts, causing injury or even amputation. Someone working near a conveyor belt could lose balance or get dragged into the machinery, causing severe injury or death.
In one terrifying case, a boy had his leg amputated after getting dragged into an escalator by his untied shoelaces.
Hygiene Concerns
All footwear can carry harmful bacteria from various sources, including the ground, public places, and pets. However, when you go outside, your shoes touch many things, such as dirt, mud, spit, and even dog poo. Some of these things can stick to the bottom of your shoes. But when you walk with your shoelaces untied, the laces swing back and forth like a whipping motion, scooping up and collecting the harmful grime from the ground with each step you take.
If a parent later ties the shoelaces for their child without washing their hands, they could pick up the bacteria and potentially transfer them to other surfaces. If the child or parent later touches food or their mouth without washing their hands, they could get sick with stomach problems or food poisoning and have no idea how they became ill.
Tying your shoelaces is like putting on a seatbelt — it might be a hassle, but it could save your life.
Broken Aglets
In addition, the plastic tips (aglets) at the end of the shoelace help guide them through the eyeholes of our shoes but stepping on the laces too often causes the aglets to split or break, making it harder to thread the laces through the eyeholes. Keep them tied to make them last longer. It's also more respectable and well-dressed to have them tied up.
Small Step With Big Results
So let's all make it a habit to tie our shoelaces before we leave the house.
Keeping your shoelaces tied up is crucial for hygiene, health, and safety. It's also a mark of good manners and respectability. Tie them and check them regularly throughout the day to ensure they stay tied up. Over time, this can stop your shoelaces from looking dirty and smelling bad.
When you bend down to tie your laces, it's not just about making sure your footwear stay on your feet — it can also be a chance to take a moment for yourself. Maybe you use that time to stretch your muscles or to say a quick prayer if you're religious. And if you're a curious young child, tying your shoelaces can give you a few seconds to explore the tiny wonders of nature around you — like a bug on the ground or a blade of grass. You might even find something valuable someone has lost or dropped accidentally, like a coin or a piece of jewelry. take a moment to appreciate the little things in life because, as we have seen, it could prevent you from getting sick and save your life.
Next time you tie your laces, whether you are wearing trainers, hiking boots, snow boots, or even rollerblades, the dangers of having laces undone apply universally.
Tips for Keeping Your Shoelaces Secure from Untangling
Based on the research available, including the study published in the Royal Society Journal (linked above), no shoelace knot can ever remain perfectly tied forever. Even the best knots, like the Ian's Secure Shoelace Knot (also known as the 'Double Slip Knot') or the Double Overhand Knot, succumb to the whipping forces of walking and running.
Unfortunately, the study didn't provide conclusive evidence on whether lace thickness or material significantly impacts their hold. It focused primarily on the physics of knot loosening during movement, not the specific properties of different laces.
However, one thing's clear: a properly tightened knot of any type is generally more secure than a loose one. And snug-fitting footwear that minimises lace movement helps keep those knots tied even tighter.
If you're still worried about untied laces in specific situations, you can consider alternative fastening methods like lock laces or slip-on footwear, which can be great for anyone with mobility issues. They might just save you from a mid-stride stumble.
It would be pretty embarrassing to lose your life because of an untied shoelace.
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