Between the fast-spinning belts, dangling cords and powerful motors, using a treadmill greatly increases your risk of injury. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, these workout machines cause tens of thousands of injuries each year with the majority of these injuries involving children. In severe cases, treadmill injuries have even resulted in death.
Here is a list of safety tips that may help prevent a treadmill-related accident:
Keep the area clear. Some of the most serious treadmill-related accidents occur when people loose their footing and end up getting pinned between a wall and the machine itself. The spinning belt can cause severe skin burns and shearing. Check the manufacturers recommendations for how much clearance you should leave as they vary by machine. If you cannot locate that information, it is recommended to leave at least 6 ½ feet of free space behind the treadmill and about 1-½ feet on both sides.
Always use the safety key. Found on all machines, the safety key has one end that plugs into the console and another end that attaches to your clothes. In the event that you fall, the key will pop out from the console and the machine should come to a safe stop. Even if there’s enough clearance around the treadmill, you should make it a habit to always use the safety key.
Straddle the deck. It’s not recommended that you start the treadmill when standing on the belt. The motion of the belt starting up could catch you by surprise and cause you to lose your balance and fall off the machine. It’s best that you straddle the deck and allow the belt to begin moving before you step on it.
Head up. When using the treadmill, you might be tempted to look at your feet. Looking at you feet or off to the side is dangerous since it may cause you to lose balance and fall. Keep your head up and try focusing on the console or another focal point whenever using the machine.
Know your limits. Use the treadmill’s heart rate monitors to keep track of your heart rate as you run. Treadmills will usually have contact monitors to help the user keep track of their rate. You can also use a separate chest strap monitor. Always check with your physician before starting an exercise routine and see if vigorous working out is for you. If while using the treadmill you feel dizzy, have chest pain, left arm or jaw pain, dizziness or numbness (symptoms associated with heart attacks) stop and immediately seek medical attention.
Come to a full stop. Never try to save time by hopping off the treadmill before it completely stops. Doing so increases your risk of injury. Always allow the belt to fully stop before you step off of it.
Keep the kids away. The age group that sustains more injuries from treadmills than any other are children between the ages of 1-6. Injuries are often caused by falls when the treadmill is accidentally turned on. Always remove the safety key and keep it away from reach when the machine is not in use. There have also been cases where children have died by asphyxiation after having their necks entangled in the electrical wires that hang from the control panel. It’s best to keep children away from treadmills at all times.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a car crash or truck accident in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor, Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Waterford or any other city in Michigan, make sure to contact Motor City Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN. Motor City Accident Attorneys know how stressful a car accident can be and want to help you get back on your feet. They will fight tirelessly for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve, according to your specific case. Make sure to follow Motor City Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and Facebook. Join the conversation by using #MCAA.
