Here's What Parents Need to Know About Injuries Linked to Peloton Treadmills

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued an urgent warning that the Peloton Tread+ treadmill should not be used in homes with small children or animals. This warning came after reports of 39 children being injured and one dying from incidents involving the popular high-end treadmill.

While safety measures should be taken to keep children safe around all treadmills, CPSC says because of the specific design of the Tread+, small children and animals can easily be pulled under the belt of the machine while it’s in use.

In a statement from the CPSC news release, the Peloton Tread+ "poses serious risks to children for abrasions, fractures, and death. In light of multiple reports of children becoming entrapped, pinned, and pulled under the rear roller of the product, CPSC urges consumers with children at home to stop using the product immediately."

CPSC called the incidents issues of "public health and safety" and suggested that parents who own the Peloton Tread+ should stop using the machine altogether. However, they also offered this advice to parents who wish to continue using the treadmill: keep the machine in a locked room, unplug it when it’s not in use, and store the safety key away from kids.

A graphic video (that is extremely hard to watch) was also shared in the new release. In the video, a young child is playing on the treadmill while the machine was turned on. When the child’s toy gets stuck underneath the Tread+, the child is dragged down and gets pinned underneath the treadmill. Thankfully, the child survived without any major injuries, but the now-viral video has parents and users of the Tread+ concerned for children’s safety.

There were also reports of pets and other objects being sucked underneath the Tread+ and the CPCS said this could cause harm, not only to the pet, but also the user if they lose their balance while on the machine.

In response to the CPSC statement, Peloton issued their own warning. They said the machine is safe and their users should continue using the treadmill, but parents should take extra precautions. "Remember, the Tread+ is not for children under 16, and children, pets, and objects need to be kept away from the Tread+ at all times,” the company statement reads. “When the Tread+ is not in use, store the safety key away from the Tread+ and out of reach of children." The company also offered tips for using the treadmill safely when you have small children in the home, like working out during naptime or having another caregiver watch the child while one parent exercises.

Over 12,000 children a year are treated in U.S. emergency departments for injuries related to home exercise equipment, and while parents love the flexibility of having home gym equipment, it’s imperative that extra measures are taken to keep kids safe.