Following the tragic May 2009 death of former heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson's daughter, concerns have been voiced over the safety of treadmills. The four-year-old became tangled in one of the treadmill's cords and died from her injuries after being put briefly on life support. Both adults and children need to know basic safety guidelines about a treadmill in order to avoid injury.
Safety for Children
LifeSpan, an exercise equipment manufacturer, recommends that children never be allowed to play around a treadmill. When the treadmill is not in use, the unit should be unplugged and the safety key removed and stored. If the child is old enough to follow basic instructions, teach her how to pull out the safety key in case the treadmill starts to move when she is near it.
Proper Gear
You should never run or walk on a treadmill without adequate footwear. Do not attempt to use a treadmill while barefoot. Check your shoelaces to make sure they are tied before you begin. Avoid wearing very loose clothing pieces that run the risk of getting caught in the treadmill.
Speed Control and Balance
Before you start moving on a treadmill, keep your feet off the belt. While straddling the belt, select the workout program you plan to use. Once the belt moves at a speed you feel comfortable with, you may put both feet firmly on the belt and hold the handrails. Let go of the handrails once you feel as though you can maintain your balance. If you feel dizzy at all while using the treadmill, grab onto the handrails to avoid losing your balance. Once you step off, you may need to hold onto something for a few minutes since vertigo is common after running on a treadmill, according to Dummies.com.
Considerations
Keep your eyes forward when running on the treadmill. Look straight in front of you to stay centered on the belt. When you look at your feet or off to the side, it throws off your stride.
Keeping Pets Out of Harm's Way
Never allow the belt to run when you are not using the treadmill. Not only does this put children in danger, but pets can become stuck beneath the belt as well. Pets should be out of the room or in a pen when you use a treadmill at home.
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