Child killed in 'tragic' Peloton treadmill accident

A child has died following an accident with a Tread+, according to Peloton CEO John Foley.

"Keep children and pets away from Peloton exercise equipment at all times. Before you begin a workout, double check to make sure that the space around your Peloton or any brand exercise equipment is clear."

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission said it was investigating the incident.

There were an estimated 22,500 treadmill-related injuries treated at US emergency departments among all ages, including around 2,000 involving children under the age of eight, according to the consumer product safety commission.

Between 2018 and 2020, it received reports of 17 deaths related to the use of a treadmill, including one involving a 5-year-old.

Parents should be cautious with any kind of treadmill - not just the Tread+ around children, as they can cause serious accidents and injuries. Kids can be thrown off moving treadmills or get body parts caught in the belt. Treadmill cords also pose choking hazards for little ones.

A few tips from Sure Basics safety consultant, Dr. Matthew Tan:
  • Try to use the machine when your child is sleeping or have someone to monitor him or her.
  • Have the machine in a room which has a lock
  • Unplug the cord when not using the machine.
  • Make sure the music is not too loud that if a child comes near while you are using the treadmill, you can stop the machine and put the child in a portable play yard or have someone supervise the child.
  • Don't run on extremely high speed if you feel you are loosing your balance or not feel well.