In general, children and treadmills don’t go together. The enticing buttons and motors make treadmills seem like a giant, fun toy for kids. But in reality, it’s a disaster waiting to happen. Tiny fingers and toes can get stuck under the belt, wrapped up in the emergency string, or worse, kids can get thrown off the back of the treadmill resulting in injuries. There are several ways to ensure safety around children and treadmills.
Communicate About Rules
The most important thing you can do to ensure your child’s safety is to communicate about the rules. Be clear about what a treadmill is, who it’s for, how it works, and what the rules are. For example, it may help tell your child that when they press a button, the treadmill’s belt will start moving, which can be startling.
Or, tell the kids that they can only use it when mommy or daddy is watching. Consider telling them to stay off it while mom or dad is running because it will hurt their fingers. Perhaps you let them know that you are unplugging the treadmill to stay off so that they don’t get hurt and that they may not plug it back in. Set proper boundaries and rules based on their age.
Unplug Treadmill After Use
Monkey see monkey do. If you are a parent, you know that even if you have told your child not to get on the treadmill, they want to be like mom or dad. They may try to experiment with the machine once you have left the room. Be sure to unplug the treadmill after each use, so nothing will happen if they decide to try out the buttons. You can also unplug the emergency stop plug on some models so that even if they choose to plug it in and try it out, the belt won’t start.
Fold Treadmill Up/Put It Away
If applicable, the safest way to reduce the risk of injury is to fold up the treadmill and put it out of sight. Out of sight, out of mind. Just like a jar of cookies sitting on the counter can cause little hands to eat too many treats, a treadmill sitting in the gym can be enticing for little kids. By putting it away, you will have peace of mind that they will not be able to get on it without your permission.
Get Children Involved
Most of the time, children don’t break the rules facetiously, but they are curious about how things work or want to do what mom and dad are doing. Another way to keep children safe from your treadmill is to get them some gym equipment of their own. That way, when you want to go for a run on your treadmill, you can also invite them to come work out with you.
There is plenty of children’s workout or play equipment, such as soft wedge mats, plastic weights, and even motorless treadmills. If your child feels involved and has their own space in the workout room, they will be less likely to get on the treadmill and more likely to have fun on their own.
In conclusion, treadmills can be dangerous for small children for many reasons. Be sure to communicate about rules, help your child use it properly (if it’s age-appropriate), unplug it and put it away after each use, and get them involved in your workout so that they have something to do while you get your fitness on.
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