The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) wishes to alert parents to slow down when shopping for back-to-school athletic shoes for your children.

One of the major items which gets little attention is athletic or PE shoes. How many parents have checked the children's comfort level after a few weeks of wearing their new PE shoes?

Checking your child's shoes may be one way of escaping gradual injury to your child's feet.

Check those athletic shoes and the type of socks you choose for your child to wear with them. Thick socks may mean a bruising fit which could reshape the tender bones (especially in the young ones).

Observe his gait (the way he walks) carefully. He may be hurting, but so pleased with his new shoes, he refuses to complain.

Find the shoe that best fits the sport. If your child is involved in football, buy him shoes with traction (those bubbles and grooves on the soles) to prevent slipping on the field and ankle support for those side-to-side motions. If your child is involved in tennis, get him a shoe with ankle support and thick but even surface sole for the tennis court. However, if the cost is prohibitive, choose the best one that best fits your pocket.

Guidelines

The following recommendations are a guide to a good fit.

The CAC wishes to share with parents the following tips on children's footwear that we garnered from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

1. There should be a thumb's width from the tip of the child's toe to the end of the shoe. The toes should have room to wiggle freely. The heel of the shoe should not slip off the foot as the child walks or runs.

2. If specific socks are required as part of a uniform, it is important to wear these socks. Be weary of the very thick athletic socks that are our there. They could make the shoes too close for comfort.

3. Look for good quality athletic shoes that have adequate support and cushioning.

4. Running shoes in particular come with a variety of arch supports. Knowing what type of instep or arch the child's foot has - high, medium, or low - can help in selecting the most comfortable and supportive shoe.

5. For some children who have flat feet please try to get them some Dr. Scholl inserts. It may help to create a buffer to the excessive pounding.

6. Lacing shoes correctly is important. It is helpful to lace through each top eyelet twice to ensure a more snug fit and decrease slippage.

7. Do not tie laces too tight, as this may cause injury to the nerves or tendons on the top of the foot and ankle.

8. It may be a financial strain, but parents must replace the athletic shoes if there are obvious signs of wear and tear.

9. Shoes used for sports should be examined for signs of wear and replaced when necessary.