
Did you know that injuries from exercise equipment are responsible for thousands of injuries in children each year? And about 8,700 of those injured children are under the age of 5. It might also surprise you to learn that many of these injuries are actually friction burns. Adults are not immune either to injuries from this type of equipment. What are some things you can do to reduce these risks of injury?
Treadmills come with a safety key. This is designed to be clipped to the person while using it. In this way the treadmill will automatically switch off if there is a problem. Make sure to always keep this clipped to you while using it. Don't leave it hanging or wrapped around something else. Keep it well out of the way of children.
Make sure any weights that are used are stored in a safe and stable area. Barbells can be especially dangerous.
Get to know your treadmills features before stepping on it. Make sure that acceleration and deceleration is done gradually to prevent injury.
If you are deep into a exercise session and have music or the television blasting, it could become very difficult to know if your child has wondered in the room. Position equipment so that you are able to observe clearly your surroundings.
If you are able, keep the room you use for a gym locked, in order to prevent children getting in. Always make sure your gym equipment is in the correct storage position, and locked in place. One practice that could be life saving to a child is to unplug all equipment so that a child doesn't accidentally switch it on.