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About treadmills

Treadmills are exercise equipment used for walking, jogging or running indoors. They feature a conveyer belt that is motorised or powered manually.

Risks and injuries from the product

Friction burns are one of the common risks when using treadmills.

Children are especially vulnerable if they are playing on or near a treadmill and can potentially suffer minor burns, serious burns requiring skin grafts, or the loss of fingers or hands.

Things to look for when buying the product

Friction burns are a common injury when using a treadmill, including burns serious enough to require skin grafts. For this reason, there’s a mandatory standard that suppliers and retailers must comply with.

Only buy and use treadmills that comply with the treadmills mandatory standard.

  • Choose a treadmill with protective covers to keep fingers and hands away from as many moving parts as possible.
  • Check the treadmill has a safety stop switch to stop it quickly in case of an accident.
  • The treadmill has a permanent safety warning statement.

The safety warning will look something like this:

How to use the product safely

Make sure you stay safe by:

  • following the manufacturer's safety instructions
  • wearing shoes suitable for walking or running when using the treadmill
  • keeping the area around the treadmill clear of objects
  • unplugging the treadmill from power when it is not in use.

Always keep young children away from the treadmill.

Next steps if a product if unsafe

When buying a product, consumers have the right to expect the product is of acceptable quality.

Acceptable quality includes that the product is safe, durable and free from defects.

If you bought a product that doesn’t meet the mandatory standard or is unsafe, you can report it to us.

Report an unsafe product

If a person is seriously injured or needs urgent medical help, call emergency services on Triple Zero (000).