Peloton treadmills pose danger to small kids and pets, consumer agency warns
Owners of the Peloton Tread+ exercise machines who have small children and pets should stop using the popular luxury treadmills immediately, a government consumer agency warned Saturday.
The danger warning from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission was prompted by 39 reported incidents that included children and animals getting trapped, pinned and pulled under the treadmill’s rear roller.
One child’s death is linked to the machines, the consumer watchdog agency said, citing a case reported to it in March by Peloton.
Some of those injured suffered cuts and broken bones, the agency said.
Along with the warning, the agency released a video of a toddler playing near a treadmill and getting his head, arms and shoulders pulled under the running machine.
“Stop using the Peloton Tread+ if there are small children or pets at home,” the agency said.
Peloton said the 39 incidents cited by the agency included 23 involving children, 15 involving objects and one involving a pet.
Except for the child who died, all of the injured children have recovered or were were expected to recover, the company said.
Peloton took immediate issue with the government warning, saying it was “troubled” by the agency’s statement that it called “inaccurate and misleading.”
“There is no reason to stop using the Tread+, as long as all warnings and safety instructions are followed,” Peloton said in a statement.
The company added that children under age 16 should never use the Tread+, and that children and pets should be kept away when it is in use.
The consumer agency knew the incidents’ details but “chose to instead publish a statement that is misleading as to the number of incidents involving children,’” the company said.
The consumer agency said adult supervision of children around the treadmill was not good enough, and that children could be seriously injured while an adult is exercising on the equipment.
Those who want to keep using the treadmill should store it in a locked room and keep children and pets away when it is being used, the agency said.
The luxury equipment, which comes with a shock-absorbent running surface and computer touchscreen, sells for $4,295, according to the company website.
Peloton saw a surge in its business last year when demand rose for home exercise equipment during COVID-19 lockdowns.
With News Wire Services
