SAN ANTONIO – Treadmill accidents send more than 22,000 people to the emergency room every year.
Safety experts at Consumer Reports say there are some fairly simple but important precautions to take if you've got a treadmill in your home.
"It's not a good idea to position a treadmill right up against a wall, because if you fall and the treadmill belt continues to turn, you'll get wedged in between the wall and the treadmill," said Peter Anzalone, of Consumer Reports. "What you need are a couple of feet on either side of the treadmill and then at least 6 feet behind it, so if you do fall, there's a space for you to escape."
Anzalone said to be safe, never allow kids near a treadmill -- even when you're on it.
But the best protection is the safety key.
"If it's not inserted in the machine, it just won't start. And because you don't want your kids to get hurt around a treadmill, take the safety key out and put it somewhere where they can't find it," Anzalone said.
Consumer Reports also recommends the following safety tips:
- Straddle the belt until it starts so that you don't get knocked off your feet.
- Keep your head up while you're moving. Looking down at your feet can throw you off balance.
- Always use the safety clip. It attaches to your workout clothes and if you should fall, the string pulls out the safety key, stopping the moving belt.
- When you're finished, wait until the belt comes to a complete stop before stepping off.