Published Sunday, 17 August, 2008 at 06:42 AM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Shine Warns of Treadmill Danger
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine has warned Queensland parents to keep their children away from treadmills with 50 children treated in hospital over the last five years for injuries sustained on the exercise machines.
“There has been a significant increase in the number of children treated in hospital in recent years as result of injuries sustained from treadmills, 50 in the last five years compared to only six for the five years before that,” Mr Shine said.
“Over a third of the injured children were so severely burnt they required skin grafts.”
Mr Shine said the increase in severe friction burn injuries in small children can be attributed to the popularity in-home treadmills have gained in recent years.
“Children under four years of age are most vulnerable, a typical injury is sustained from reaching under the treadmill while someone else is operating it.
“Treadmill injuries are significant, often resulting in a deep dermal friction burn wound to the hand or fingers.
“The injuries are exacerbated if the child gets trapped under the treadmill which has happened in 67% of cases.”
Mr Shine said Queensland will support any recommendations which come from an investigation into the increase in injuries to small children using domestic treadmills, which is currently being undertaken by the New South Wales Products Safety Committee.
“The Queensland Office of Fair Trading will support any recommendations made on improved product design and manufacture such as the inclusion of a guard to prevent finger entrapment,” he said.
“The Bligh Government actively encourages people to be active and workouts at home are an excellent way to keep fit.
“My concern is with exercise equipment that may pose a danger to users or to others in the house.”
The Office of Fair Trading has produced a consumer awareness page for treadmills on the Department of Justice and Attorney-General website, www.justice.qld.gov.au, and is also in the process of producing an information pamphlet.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 0488 799 273
“There has been a significant increase in the number of children treated in hospital in recent years as result of injuries sustained from treadmills, 50 in the last five years compared to only six for the five years before that,” Mr Shine said.
“Over a third of the injured children were so severely burnt they required skin grafts.”
Mr Shine said the increase in severe friction burn injuries in small children can be attributed to the popularity in-home treadmills have gained in recent years.
“Children under four years of age are most vulnerable, a typical injury is sustained from reaching under the treadmill while someone else is operating it.
“Treadmill injuries are significant, often resulting in a deep dermal friction burn wound to the hand or fingers.
“The injuries are exacerbated if the child gets trapped under the treadmill which has happened in 67% of cases.”
Mr Shine said Queensland will support any recommendations which come from an investigation into the increase in injuries to small children using domestic treadmills, which is currently being undertaken by the New South Wales Products Safety Committee.
“The Queensland Office of Fair Trading will support any recommendations made on improved product design and manufacture such as the inclusion of a guard to prevent finger entrapment,” he said.
“The Bligh Government actively encourages people to be active and workouts at home are an excellent way to keep fit.
“My concern is with exercise equipment that may pose a danger to users or to others in the house.”
The Office of Fair Trading has produced a consumer awareness page for treadmills on the Department of Justice and Attorney-General website, www.justice.qld.gov.au, and is also in the process of producing an information pamphlet.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 0488 799 273