After child dies, US regulator warns about Peloton treadmill
Source: AP
By JOSEPH PISANI
NEW YORK (AP) Safety regulators warned people with kids and pets Saturday to immediately stop using a treadmill made by Peloton after one child died and nearly 40 others were injured.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said it received reports of children and a pet being pulled, pinned and entrapped under the rear roller of the Tread+ treadmill, leading to fractures, scrapes and the death of one child.
The commission posted a video on its YouTube page of a child being pulled under the treadmill.
New York-based Peloton Interactive Inc. said in a news release that the warning was inaccurate and misleading. It said theres no reason to stop using the treadmill as long as children and pets are kept away from it at all times, it is turned off when not in use, and a safety key is removed.
But the safety commission said that in at least one episode, a child was pulled under the treadmill while a parent was running on it, suggesting it can be dangerous to children even while a parent is present.
FILE - This Nov. 19, 2019 file photo shows a Peloton logo on the company's stationary bicycle in San Francisco. Safety regulators are warning people with kids and pets to immediately stop using a treadmill made by Peloton after one child died and nearly 40 others were injured. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Saturday, April 17, 2021, that it received reports of children and a pet being pulled, pinned and entrapped under the rear roller of the treadmill, leading to fractures, scrapes and the death of one child. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/product-safety-be5516665f9a2c7c4bb9b9441d4aef01
Hugh_Lebowski
(33,643 posts)I suppose it's a good thing Peloton is making a bunch of $$$, they're going to need it to pay damages.
I suspect they're also going to end up having to deal with every one of them sold, i.e. offer options to buyback, replace them with a revamped unit, or come up with a mod to the existing ones that makes it safe, and go out and install them on everyone's machine.
jimfields33
(15,450 posts)I was sad for him. But now Im glad as he has grandchildren. Hopefully they will ban these killing machines.
Hugh_Lebowski
(33,643 posts)Here's the video ... it's disturbing, kid gets trapped but does get himself out after a struggle. No question he had some painful abrasions from the incident but it's not horrible. Though it's scary imagining yourself being that child, with as easily traumatized as most children that age are.
Just giving fair warning.
I would add that turning the machine so the back of it is against the wall would REALLY help reduce the danger in the interim until the company addresses the matter.
GB_RN
(2,267 posts)On a stick! It rode right up over the top of a kid who might weigh 30 pounds soaking wet! In watching it and the way he was snagged at first, I was really surprised that it didn't snap his neck.
jimfields33
(15,450 posts)Damn they better do something like yesterday.
TomDaisy
(1,828 posts)when not in use you should always remove the safety key ---- and unplug it for good measure
Hugh_Lebowski
(33,643 posts)And that distracts your and ends your run/walk and then it's something else, and you forget.
I'm sure MOST people are capable of these simple steps 99% of the time, but it's easy to see that 1% ... happening.
That's why you can't make stuff that's so obviously unsafe ... that's likely to spend time in an area where children and pets will be.
I don't think it's a very hard fix actually. If you just had a clutch so that ANY resistance will automatically trigger of the slowing down of the platform down at a reasonable rate, while sending a nice loud beep or 5 to the user ... and then quickly brings the platform to a stop ... you'd make it 95% safer.
It's not rocket science, but at the same time it's like 100 year old tech involved in doing this. And they didn't.
Which is fucking mind blowing.
Demovictory9
(32,320 posts)KPN
(15,585 posts)him assemble it. There is a cowling/cover over both the front and rear belt rollers. The damn thing weighs like 265 lbs or so. Peloton probably is close to that weight wise as well. Fortunately for that kid, the motor (heaviest part) is in the front and rear light in comparison.
DenaliDemocrat
(1,472 posts)I grew up on a cattle ranch. Literally EVERYTHING could kill you. The horses, the tractor, the silo, the ponds, hell even picking up a board could be deadly with a black widow or rattlesnake.
My parents were extremely careful and we were admonished and yes sometimes disciplined to make a point. The day my dad caught me teasing a Brahman bull in the chute was a day my ass will never forget.
Why was that treadmill in an operational state in a place where children play. Dad always kept the guns and ammo locked up and separated. Tractor keys were up high too.
Come on parents. Dont be lazy.
TomDaisy
(1,828 posts)Dream Girl
(5,111 posts)Hugh_Lebowski
(33,643 posts)You can watch it happen. I don't know how most home-based treadmills are designed but it seems like a guard at the back would be a pretty damn obvious necessity.
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,272 posts)I lock the dog in the other room when I use it.
Mine only runs from the weight of a person on it but being caught under it while in use would suck.
Parent need to not let kids play with these things. Seems like a no brainer. They usually have safety keys that can be removed
TomDaisy
(1,828 posts)the running plank area. The end of the plank area was frame, and you could stand there or use it as a handle to flip the plank part up for storage.
forgotmylogin
(7,496 posts)Most treadmills are raised up higher or have a cover to prevent a foot or an arm getting caught between the floor and the roller.
While a cover over or under the back belt roller won't prevent snagging or pinching, it does keep the roller from pulling an arm or leg under it.
With nothing between the roller and the floor, something large caught in there gets pulled in till it stops, then the treadmill motor will continue to pull the entire unit like it's on wheels, literally monster-trucking up and over a small child or a pet, which can crush them or cause serious injury.
oldsoftie
(12,410 posts)Mine (not a Peloton) is backed against a wall, but still cant be turned on without me there.
crimycarny
(1,351 posts)This may not be a popular opinion but seriously people! Just take the safety key out so the kids cant turn it on! This is not an issue with the manufacturer, its an issue with the owners of the treadmill. Just seeing the little girl walking on it made me cringe, let alone what happened later when the toddler got stuck underneath. All treadmills can be dangerous which is why they come with safety features.
Take some responsibility and make sure such a powerful machine is disabled when not in use. Kids can get on and accidentally speed it up (or do it on purpose to see how fast that can go). Dumb, dumb, dumb!
TomDaisy
(1,828 posts)unsupervised toddlers. Pull out safety key and unplug when not in use.
JI7
(89,172 posts)Bayard
(21,802 posts)It looks like its in their playroom, with no adult in sight. My treadmill has padded side rails where you can catch yourself if need be, and a key on a string that can be pulled out. It will also do 5 minute miles if you're so inclined--NOT a toy!
We kept our treadmill in a separate room with the safety key ALWAYS put away. When we used the treadmill the door was shut and locked so the kids and pets couldnt come in the room.
Hugh_Lebowski
(33,643 posts)Guns, of course, are an exception, because reasons.
Colorado Liberal
(145 posts)There will be more regulations regarding treadmills in homes with children than there are regarding guns in homes with children.
William Seger
(10,742 posts)28th Amendment: "A well conditioned Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and use exercise equipment, shall not be infringed."
... or maybe fix the broken one instead?
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,746 posts)Let's wait until hundreds are killed by it every year.
Oh, I'm thinking of guns. Never mind.
LiberalFighter
(50,484 posts)Anyway, mine had a magnetic device of sorts that would only operate if it was attached to the machine. The magnet was pulled off when the walker/runner was too far from it. Mine also did not have room for a body to slip under it.
Hekate
(90,189 posts)...I would never allow either in the same room when it is turned on. I dont have a super-duper space age high tech treadmill or exercycle, but jeez people, just look at the mechanical parts whirring around on even the old ones like mine. What about that do people not understand? Do they also let their children play on escalators?
LisaL
(44,962 posts)Even after the kid's hand stuck under it, the machine kept pulling until it sucked the kid under it.
So clearly there is no shut off feature.
TomDaisy
(1,828 posts)SoCalDavidS
(9,998 posts)TomDaisy
(1,828 posts)Botany
(70,286 posts)... died @ Xmas time @ Sandy Hook Elementary School in CT? The republican and NRA response
was we need more guns.
Sapient Donkey
(1,568 posts)where they might be unsupervised. At the very least I would make sure it's unplugged. I have a fold up rowing machine that wouldn't want kids or pets around, because it could potentially extend on them. With any treadmill, those could be dangerous in many ways. Kids running on it and turning the speed up until they fall and break their neck or bones.
Hugh_Lebowski
(33,643 posts)I know what you're saying, but this was negligence to not have it. This is SO BASIC of tech we're talking about here they just ... didn't put it on it.
It's too easy to get distracted mid-workout and then forget to disable it afterward cause ... life.
IMHO this is flagrant ... esp. in a machine that is very recently designed, AND retails for $4K.
LisaL
(44,962 posts)Even vacuum cleaners have shut off features, if something gets stuck in it, the brush stops rolling. This treadmill kept on trying to suck the kid in until it finally sucked the kid under itself.
There are no safety features on it to stop it from rolling if something gets stuck.
And it's easy to say to always keep it away from kids and children. But not that easy to do.
Unless you have a giant house or apartment with a special room for your dangerous treadmill. Most people don't.
Martin68
(22,663 posts)not be allowed near an operating treadmill. Other companies' treadmills have also caused serious injury in cases involving children and pets. My feeling is that such accidents are the customer's responsibility if they did not heed warnings to keep children and pets out of harm's way. If a gun owner leaves it where a child can operate it it is the gun owner's fault. What should a treadmill be any different?