Home treadmill danger to kids
Issue Date: - Monday, 10 November 2008
Standard labelling sought
Consumer Protection in WA along with Fair Trading in NSW is investigating the introduction of safety labelling for domestic exercise treadmills following interstate reports of young children receiving friction burns.
“The possibility of applying a national standard for the safety labelling of domestic treadmills is currently being considered,” Consumer Protection Commissioner for WA Anne Driscoll said.
“State product safety authorities from around Australia in co-operation with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will look to regulate the need to have appropriate prominent warnings affixed to treadmills intended for use in private homes.
“Identified hazards include the entrapment of small fingers in the roller areas of the machines. This in turn causes friction burns as the rubberised rolling mat continues to turn against the trapped fingers.
“At the end of the day however, warning labels by themselves are no substitute for careful supervision of children who live in an environment where domestic treadmills are operated.
“Parents, guardians and adult users of treadmills should ensure that appropriate measures are in place to minimise danger to young children.
“Ideally treadmills should be operated and stored in areas that young children can not access,” she said.
Product safety information, including safe toys and safe furniture for children is available by contacting:
- Website: www.docep.wa.gov.au/productsafety
- Email: Consumer@docep.wa.gov.au
- Phone: 1300 30 40 54
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