Daily Fit Tip: Keep babies and children away from the treadmill

Did you know that the treadmill is one of the most dangerous things you could have in your home? Most folks don't. We all know to keep kids away from electrical outlets, stoves and irons, and accordingly many of us "babyproof" based on these concerns. I'm always amazed at how many people think it's fun to let their kids try out the old treadmill. It's not fun. In fact it's incredibly dangerous.

Watching Mommy and Daddy scooting along on the treadmill looks like the'ye riding on a big toy to a kid, and that moving belt can seem wildly intriguing. That's why many hospitals end up performing skin grafts on children. Because the curious child reached out to touch that cool belt, even slow moving ones ... and had the skin burned right off their little hands. Long ago I saw an episode of Oprah where a featured child had even lost fingers touching a treadmill. Scary right?

Now think about the five year old who's convinced his father to let him just 'try it'. Far too young to be able to handle such a powerful machine, the speed goes too high or the child simply loses his balance and gets launched off the treadmill landing on his head. Head trauma is the second most common injury seen in the E.R. from treadmills next to hand injuries.

Lacerations, broken bones, and other severe injuries come next. Is it worth it? No! I have a treadmill in my home, and I've treated it the same way I would a campfire when it comes to my four- and two-year-old children. No touching. Period! I've purposely made them terrified to come near the treadmill, and I still watch them as if they were near a fire when we're in the room with it. That's one hundred percent, for there are no second chances with a risk like this. We all need to respect the power behind these machines and understand what harm they can do.

Children shouldn't use treadmills until they are well into their teens and are mature enough to exercise caution while exercising. Visit the following websites to learn more about children and treadmill injuries.

http://www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/_Hospitals_for_Children/prevention/treadmill.aspx

http://www.smartrisk.ca/ContentDirector.aspx?tp=2157&dd=8