The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is sounding the alarm on a line of compact home treadmills, warning consumers yesterday to stop using Sperax walking pads and compact treadmills, models Pro, Q1, RM-01, and RM-02, after reports that the machines can suddenly change speed or stop, and in some cases catch fire. Regulators say the units have been linked to hundreds of overheating incidents and dozens of injuries. The importer has refused to agree to a recall, so officials are urging owners to dispose of affected products rather than try to resell them.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the agency has received 201 reports of uncontrollable speeds, abrupt stops and similar failures that resulted in at least 66 falls or injuries, including one concussion that required medical attention. The CPSC also reports 573 incidents involving overheating, fires and other thermal problems, including four cases of minor burns. The safety notice is listed as Product Safety Number 26-415.
The affected walking pads and treadmills are described as black with red trim and were sold online through Amazon, Walmart, Newegg and eBay, as reported by LocalMemphis. Owners can confirm whether they have one of the flagged models by checking the label near the power switch for the model number.
How to identify and report affected units
Manufacturer manuals and user guides for Sperax models are compiled in public device documentation and can be reviewed on Device.report to locate the model label and technical specifications for your unit. If your device matches one of the named models, stop using it, unplug it and keep it away from flammable materials. Consumers are urged to report incidents and complaints at SaferProducts.gov so regulators can track additional failures.
Importer refused recall; legal notes
The importer, Quanzhou Wentelai Import and Export Trading Co., Ltd., doing business as Sperax, “has refused to agree to an acceptable recall,” the CPSC said in its notice. The agency included the company’s objection with the release and notes that federal law prohibits selling products that are subject to a Commission-ordered recall. The CPSC can pursue enforcement if firms fail to offer a remedy.
