A New Report Says This Type of Footwear Is the Riskiest — and It’s Not Flip-Flops

Flip-flops and high heels may be the first shoes people blame for foot-related accidents, but a recent analysis suggests Americans should be more mindful of what they wear around the house.

According to the report, slippers are the footwear most often tied to severe injuries that land people in the emergency room. The analysis examined data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) covering 2021 through 2025.

Researchers found that slippers were linked to an estimated 20,750 emergency room visits each year, almost the same as boots, which accounted for about 20,840 visits annually.

What stands out most is not just the number of visits, but how serious the injuries were. The report said 23.3% of slipper-related emergency room cases led to hospitalization, and 32.3% involved fractures. By comparison, 7.9% of boot-related visits resulted in hospitalization, and 11.8% involved fractures.

Slippers also ranked above other common footwear types in serious injury cases, which the report defined as emergency room visits that involved a fracture or required a hospital stay.

Flip-flops placed second, with an estimated 16,083 emergency room visits per year. Sandals were close behind at 15,961, while high heels were responsible for 10,290 visits. Sneakers and athletic shoes had the lowest number of visits among the categories reviewed, at roughly 8,630 annually.

The results do not mean cozy slippers must be banished, but they do underscore that shoe choice matters, including indoors.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises avoiding backless shoes, choosing nonslip footwear and wearing shoes that fit well. It also warns against walking in socks, especially for older adults, who face a higher risk of serious fall-related injuries.

“Falls are the leading cause of injury for older adults (ages 65 and older) and can have serious consequences, like limited mobility and loss of independence,” the agency says. “Routine care for feet and proper supportive footwear can reduce your risk of falls.”