Treadmill Deaths Are Rare, But Here Are 5 Safety Precautions To Follow

On Friday, May 1, 2015 at 4 p.m., SurveyMonkey CEO Dave Goldberg headed to the gym for a workout while on vacation with his family. In what appears to be a tragic accident, “he fell off the treadmill and cracked his head open,” according to a report in The New York Times.

Goldberg died of head trauma and blood loss after being transported to Hospital San Javier in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. He was the husband of Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, and leaves behind two children. The SurveyMonkey chief executive and Sandberg were an established power couple in Silicon Valley.

We don’t often think of danger when we head to the gym, but stepping on a treadmill always poses risks. In 2014, around 24,400 injuries occurred as the direct result of treadmill use — almost 40 percent of the 62,600 injuries from exercise equipment, making these machines the most dangerous you’ll find in your gym. Deaths from treadmill use, on the other hand, are much rarer, according to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission data. Only 30 fatalities from treadmills were reported between 2003 and 2012, for an average of just three per year

Here are some checks to make before you start exercising, or while you’re in the middle of a workout, from Michael Jonesco, MD, a sports medicine physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center: 

Enter with a clean bill of health.

Your top priority before you hit the gym is to make sure you know your health status. “A lot of times we’ll see, if you’re running, why did he collapse?”Jonesco tells Yahoo Health. “The most common cause of falling is a vascular event, like a heart attack. I don’t know this case, but before you start a workout, always make sure you have a clean bill of health. Continue to be screened for coronary issues, even if you feel healthy – especially if you have risk factors like age, being male, or a high-stress job.”

Beware of strange symptoms.

If you’re on the treadmill and you feel any chest pain, any shortness of breath beyond what you’re used to in a given workout, or any lightheadedness, you need to step off. “Lightheadedness is one most people don’t think of,”says Jonesco. “But it can show you’re not getting enough blood supply to the brain, and be a preceding factor for passing out.”

Don’t add distractions (until you’re comfortable).

Besides coronary issues, other reasons for treadmill falls can usually be pinned to distraction. “Usually you have a comfort zone if you’re on a machine you’re used to, but if you’re on vacation or using an unfamiliar machine, you want to take time to get used to it,”Jonesco says. Start your workout at a slower pace, be aware of the width of the band, and ditch the headphones or TV until you find your rhythm.

Related: Treadmill Mistakes You May Be Making

Use the safety tabs.

You know the attachments on the treadmill, that are meant to immediately stop the machine if you step out of line? They might be annoying, but use ‘em, says Jonesco. “A lot of people overlook the safety tabs because they’re clunky, but they’re there for a reason.”Those attachments could prevent a fall, and are especially important if your treadmill is close to the wall in an unfamiliar area. “I like to move the machine away from the wall if at all possible,”Jonesco says. “If you fall and it doesn’t turn off, you can get pushed up against the wall, the band will keep moving and can give you some pretty bad abrasions.”

Keep help nearby.

According to the report, Goldberg wasn’t found by his brother until 7 p.m., although he left for the gym at 4 p.m. Although the gym seems pretty safe, still tell someone you’re going — or preferably, take them along. “Have a workout buddy, or at least familiarize yourself with the people around you at the gym or the staff if something were to happen,”says Jonesco. “Keep your cell phone nearby you in case of an emergency.”

Related: 7 Ways To Make Your Treadmill Run More Effective 

Nevertheless, exercise is essential. Just, like anything, don’t take safety as a given. Always be smart about using equipment, says Jonesco. “It’s very sad, and could have been a freak thing,”he explains. “The benefits of exercise far, far exceed the risks.”

Let’s keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Health on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Have a personal health story to share? We want to hear it. Tell us at YHTrueStories@yahoo.com.