Treadmills pose a danger for little ones
It's a popular form of exercise equipment but the home treadmill now comes with a warning that it can pose a serious danger to young children.
Since 2001 more than 100 young children have come too close to the machines while observing others using them - resulting in some needing skin graft operations and even plastic surgery.
Most injuries occur when a baby or toddler moves to the back of the treadmill and either touches the moving belt or gets their hand caught under it, Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge said in a statement on Monday.
"The result can be severe friction burns that take months to heal and require skin graft operations and even plastic surgery when the child is older," Ms Judge said.
Janet Jabbour was two years-old when her family bought a new and top-of-the-range treadmill.
"Our treadmill was about a week old and my husband and I had a tag team routine happening whereby he would keep an eye on the children while I did the treadmill and vice versa," said Janet's mother, Hanna Jabbour.
"However Janet followed me without his knowledge... and it only took a matter of minutes if not seconds for the nightmare to unfold."
Janet reached out and touched the back of the walking belt, which then trapped and seriously burned her hand. She has since had a skin graft operation, frequent bandaging, a splint, and weekly visits to hospital for almost a year.
"Hearing her cries for help were heart wrenching and traumatic to us as parents, especially coming from a little girl who is usually squealing with joy and laughter," said Ms Jabbour.
Product safety warnings will be affixed to all treadmills sold in NSW from June 1 with the intention of preventing such accidents.
The Department of Fair Trading will also distribute thousands of posters to children's services, playgroups and community health and baby health centres to warn parents of the dangers of home treadmills.
Ms Judge advised owners to keep home exercise equipment in a room separate from children. She also recommended purchasing treadmills with protective covers and a safety stop switch.
When not in use, treadmills should be unplugged, she added.
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