Menu Close

Regulator urges consumers to stop using Tread+ treadmill over cases of death, injuries

Peloton Tread+ Treadmill

*The Product Safety Commission says in the light of multiple reports of children becoming entrapped, pinned, and pulled under the rear roller of the product, consumers with children at home should stop using the product immediately

*The company, Peloton, disputes the results of the investigation, arguing the regulators’ information in its press statement is ‘inaccurate and misleading’

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Sequel to the regulators’ investigation into cases of accident and injuries to consumers while using the company’s product, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued an urgent warning to owners of the Peloton Tread+ treadmill after it said a child was killed in an accident and several others were injured.

The regulatory agency said it acted after an investigation, reporting that its staff believe the Peloton Tread+ poses “serious risks to children for abrasions, fractures, and death.”

ConsumerConnect learnt the warnings drew strong pushback from the concerned company, which insisted the treadmill is safe when safety rules are followed.

Peloton said it reported to the CPSC March 2021, when it learned of a child’s death caused by the machine.

The company in a statement on the issue said: “On March 18, 2021, Peloton’s Co-founder and CEO John Foley sent an urgent reminder directly to Tread+ members to follow the critical warnings and safety instructions that accompany the Tread+, which state that children, pets, and objects should be kept clear of the Tread+ at all times.

“Members were also reminded to remove the safety key and store it out of the reach of children when an adult is not using the Tread+.”

In respect of ‘inaccurate and misleading’, Peloton also stated the information in the CPSC press release about the incidents resulting from the use of its products is “inaccurate and misleading” and said its efforts to aid in the investigation of the incidents were rejected.

The CPSC had said its investigation turned up at least 39 reports of children, and one pet, being injured while the machine was in operation.

It released a video showing an incident in which a child was injured.

The regulator stated: “In light of multiple reports of children becoming entrapped, pinned, and pulled under the rear roller of the product, CPSC urges consumers with children at home to stop using the product immediately.”

The regulatory agency insists at least an incident occurred while a parent was running on the treadmill, suggesting that the hazard cannot be avoided simply by locking the device when not in use.

Reports of a pet and objects being sucked beneath the Tread+ also suggest possible harm to the user if the user loses balance.

Meanwhile, a report has said that all treadmills can be dangerous, as injuries caused by any kind of treadmill are not uncommon.

The CPSC reported that 24,000 Americans were treated for treadmill injuries at hospitals in 2014.

However, that statistic includes patients treated for injuries from overuse, such as pulled muscles and tendons.

But deaths from treadmill accidents are said to be somewhat rare.

In 2015, SurveyMonkey Chief Executive Officer Dave Goldberg died of a head injury after falling while using a treadmill at a resort, report added.

Kindly Share This Story

 

 

 

 

Kindly share this story