Walking Pad Safety Around Children and Pets

Any home treadmill, including a walking pad, can hurt young children and pets if it is left running or within reach. The moving belt can cause friction burns or catch clothing and fur. Good storage habits and a few house rules remove most of the risk.

The main risks

• Contact with a moving belt. A child or pet stepping on or near a running belt can be pulled or scraped, especially at higher speeds.
• The power cord. Young children may pull on a cable they can see.
• Climbing on a folded unit. A folded walking pad is not a climbing frame and can tip over.

Storage rules that remove most of the risk

1. Fold it away after every use. Do not leave it flat in a shared living space.
2. Unplug it when you are not using it, especially if young children explore sockets and cables.
3. Store it where pets cannot easily reach it, such as behind a door or in a room that stays closed.
4. Keep the remote out of reach of young children, since a pressed button can start the belt.

Our walking pad folds flat and slides under a bed or sofa, which makes this easy. See how the foldable treadmill folds.

Rules while it is in use

• Keep young children away from a running belt at all times, with an adult ready to stop it.
• Keep pets in another room during sessions. Dogs and cats are curious about moving things. If you want your dog to walk on it, train them separately with your full attention. Our guide on whether dogs can use a walking pad shows how.
• Show older children how to use it before they use it alone: start at the lowest speed, hold the handrail and know where the stop button is.
• Never leave it running unattended, even for a moment.

What to teach older children

If an older child or teenager wants to use the walking pad, show them how to start at the lowest speed, keep both hands on the handrail until they are steady, and find the stop button before they start. It is the same introduction any first-time user should get. Our beginner's guide walks through it.

Frequently asked questions

Is a walking pad safe to have at home with young children? Yes, with sensible precautions. Fold it away and unplug it after use, and keep young children away from it while it runs.

Can pets get hurt by a walking pad? Yes, if they get near a running belt. Keep pets in another room during sessions.

At what age can a child use a walking pad alone? There is no fixed age. It depends on the child's coordination and ability to follow safety rules. Start with close supervision at the lowest speed, whatever their age.

See the foldable walking pad treadmill with a stable handrail, KSh 24,800.