Tyson Tragedy Highlights Treadmill Dangers
May 27, 2009 by Liz Lewis
Filed under Children, Death, Morning News, Prevention
The sad news of the death of four-year-old Exodus Tyson who died as a result of strangulation from a treadmill cord offers a somber reminder to parents everywhere of the dangers of treadmills.
Treadmills and other home gym equipment is great for keeping adults fit but are a definite danger to children.
In fact, the Australian Office of Fair Trading has become so concerned the increase in reports of treadmill injuries to children that they issued a public education campaign in 2008.
Called Treadmills and Kids Don’t Mix, this campaign highlights the dangers of treadmills for children, especially how a treadmill’s moving belt can cause friction injuries and entrap fingers, hands, hair, and clothing.
The campaign made the following safety tips for treadmill owners and users…
If you can, use your treadmill in the room away from young children.
If this is not possible:
–use safety barriers (like a playpen) to keep children away from the treadmill
–do not use your treadmill when young children are around
Always keep your treadmill unplugged when not in use.
Store your treadmill well away from children’s reach.Always supervise older children if they are using a treadmill.
When you buy a new treadmill choose one with protective covers and a safety stop switch.
Keeping children away from the treadmill altogether, however, might be the best line of defence.
Tyson’s antics aside, this is a sad story. I’m not surprised that so many children have been injured in treadmill-related injuries. Frankly, I injure myself from time to time on the treadmill whether it be an untied shoe lace getting caught in the belt or otherwise.
The tips appear to be common sense, but apparently more people need to read them.
This also happened to my 3 year old daughter about a month ago. Luckily I found her and she just had a nasty rope burn around her neck. I was petrified and have not looked at my treadmill again. It makes me crazy to think of what could have possibly happened to her.
I’m sad for this family and am saddened that this little girl didn’t have more time.
It’s hard to believe something so ubiquitous could be so dangerous, but it’s certainly a warning to the rest of us.