An Arlington girl nearly lost her fingers after an accident in her own living room. Now she and her mother want to warn others about a danger that could be in your home as well.
From putting a fence around the swimming pool, to a net around the trampoline. Cindi Ford thought she had made her house child proof.
She never thought twice about her treadmill, until now.
"It's a dangerous piece of equipment that you need to keep an eye on." said Cindi Ford.
Ford's 8 year-old daughter Annabelle was walking on the treadmill when she slipped and when she tried to stop herself, her right hand went underneath the rollers in the back.
"It felt like my knuckles were on fire" said Annabelle.
Annabelle was rushed to Cook Children's Medical Center with a broken finger, three crushed fingers, and a severely burned hand.
"On the middle finger it was down to the knuckle down to the white" said Ford.
The treadmill does have a safety key which immediately stops the motor, Annabelle tried to grab it, but says she couldn't reach it.
As Annabelle recovers, she's coping without the use of her right hand.
"I can't really feel my hand" said Annabelle.
She's come to terms with having to give up gymnastics for a little while, but hopes she's healed by softball season.
Her mom meantime, has unplugged the treadmill and is just grateful what happened wasn't worse.
"She could have lost fingers in that incident rather than just damage them" said Annabelle's mother.
The company that makes that treadmill says the user's manual specifically states that children under 12 should not use it, that the safety key should be attached to clothing.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 25,000 children each year are hurt on exercise equipment related injuries.
The CPSC also urges children be kept away from all exercise equipment.
