Peloton recalls hi-tech home treadmills after links to child’s death and dozens of injuries
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Home exercise company Peloton has recalled its treadmills from sale in the US and UK, after they were linked to the death of a child, and several other injuries to pets and small children.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) intervened after dozens of reports of children and small animals being pulled underneath the treadmills and getting trapped. In one of the incidents, a child died due to injuries caused by the treadmill.
The company, which bills itself on offering live-streamed fitness classes via its hi-tech home gym equipment, is now recalling its entire treadmill range – with the owners of all 125,000 Tread and Tread+ machines urged to stop using their treadmill and contact Peloton for a full refund.
CPSC acting chair Robert Adler confirmed an agreement had been reached which “requires Peloton to immediately stop selling and distributing both the Tread+ and Tread products in the United States and refund the full purchase price to consumers.” A Peloton spokesperson confirmed that the recall also relates to Tread devices on sale in the UK.
The US regulator said it had received 72 reports about the Tread+ device relating to “adult users, children, pets and/or objects being pulled under the rear of the treadmill, including 29 reports of injuries to children such as second- and third-degree abrasions, broken bones, and lacerations.”
It also flagged 24 incidents related to the touchscreen on the lower-spec Tread device, which was on sale outside the US, after “reports of minor injuries such as abrasions, minor cuts, and bruises in Canada and the United Kingdom.”
Peloton’s chief executive John Foley said recalling both products was “the right thing to do for Peloton’s Members and their families.”
Mr Foley also admitted the company had “made a mistake in our initial response” to the safety concerns, and should have “engaged more productively” with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
He added: “For that, I apologise. Today’s announcement reflects our recognition that, by working closely with the CPSC, we can increase safety awareness for our members.
“We believe strongly in the future of at-home connected fitness and are committed to work with the CPSC to set new industry safety standards for treadmills. We have a desire and a responsibility to be an industry leader in product safety.”
Changes to the treadmill design will require a passcode to be entered, preventing unattended children and pets from switching them on.
