Safety

All of these machines have many moving parts and can be hazardous, so follow directions. Hospital-treated treadmill injuries have risen an estimated 62 percent from 2000 to 2006. And the greatest percentage of injuries has been among toddlers, who were hurt while a parent using the machine didn't see the child playing behind or beneath it. One type of serious injury occurs when a hand gets caught on or under the moving belt, causing severe burns or lacerations.

What you can do

Make sure that home exercise equipment is locked and out of children's reach, and keep young children away from equipment without safety locks. Make sure children are kept away from exercise equipment while it is in use.