The American Podiatric Medical Association, which has long considered itself an underused resource for shoe-wearing Americans, has a few dos and don’ts about flip flops, the summer footwear of choice for tens of millions of people.
DON’TS:
•   Don’t re-wear flip-flops year after year. Inspect older pairs for wear. If they show signs of severe wear, discard them.
•   Don’t ignore irritation between toes, where the toe thong fits. This can lead to blisters and possible infections.
•   Don’t wear flip-flops while walking long distances. Even the sturdiest flip-flops offer little in terms of shock absorption and arch support.
•   Don’t do yard work while wearing flip-flops. Always wear a shoe that fully protects feet when doing outside activities such as mowing the lawn or using a weed-eater.
•   Don’t play sports in flip-flops. That’s just crazy, but fun.
DOS:
• Do shop for a flip-flop made of high-quality, soft leather. Leather minimizes the potential for blisters and other types of irritation.
• Do gently bend the flip-flop from end to end, ensuring it bends at the ball of the foot. Shoes of any kind should never fold in half.
• Do wear a sturdy pair of flip-flops when walking around a public pool, at the beach, in hotel rooms and in locker room areas. Walking barefoot can expose foot soles to plantar warts and athlete’s foot.
•  Do ensure that your foot doesn’t hang off of the edge of the flip-flop