Warning: Content might be too graphic for some readers.
Federal regulators recently released a graphic video of a boy being sucked in a Peloton treadmill and warned parent-owners to stop using the machine after another child was killed by it.
The terrifying video shows a little girl is walking on the treadmill which is turned on, then a little boy walks behind the machine and gets a big pink ball.
The boy holds the ball toward the back of the Peloton treadmill when the ball started to get dragged under the machine, pulling the boy’s arms with it.
The boy’s arms seemingly caused the treadmill to stop and the child appears to be stuck.
But the treadmill started moving again after a few seconds, while the boy is trying to resist its movement and desperately trying to pull himself away.
At this moment, the power of the treadmill caused the little boy to shake and the equipment suddenly resumes to a much faster speed, dragging him further underneath.
The child continues to be sucked under until his legs are only visible while he keeps flailing his little legs in an effort to free himself.
Luckily, the boy manages to pull himself back out from the Peloton treadmill and was seen walking away.
The video was released by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as a serious warning to the public about the hazards of the $4000 Peloton machine.
According to CPSC, there are already 39 dangerous incidents that involve young kids and pets being harmed by Peloton treadmills, with one child killed.
Despite these reports, Peloton fired back, still fighting a federal safety recall, and allegedly slowed down an investigation to the possible safety issues.
Peloton said in a news release that the CPSC warning was ‘inaccurate and misleading’ adding that there’s no reason to stop using the machines as long as pets and kids are kept away from it at all times.
“The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s unilateral press release about the Peloton Tread+ treadmill is inaccurate and misleading,” the statement reads. “The Tread+ is safe for Members to use in their homes and comes with safety instructions and warnings to ensure its safe use.”
“Like all motorized exercise equipment, the Tread+ can pose hazards if the warnings and safety instructions are not followed,” it continued. “Peloton warns Members not to let children use the Tread+ and to keep children, pets, and objects away from the Tread+ at all times.”
“Any owner of a treadmill – whether made by Peloton or not – should follow these warnings, as they are included in the applicable safety standards, which the Peloton Tread+ meets.”
However, CPSC said that there is an incident wherein a child was sucked under the treadmill while a parent was running on it, further suggesting that the machine can be as harmful even if a parent is around.
CPSC explained that if adults insisted to keep using the treadmill, they should use it only in a locked room, and keep it unplugged when not in use with the safety key being hidden away. The commission added to keep other smaller exercise equipment away from it because those things have been pulled under the treadmill as well.