Fort Lauderdale, Fla. ? The tragic death of boxer Mike Tyson’s 4-year-old daughter may seem like a freak occurrence. Yet almost 5,500 children younger than 5 were treated in emergency rooms in 2006 and 2007 for treadmill-related injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Phoenix police said there was a cord hanging from the console of the treadmill in Tyson’s house and that his daughter had slipped or put her head in the loop, which then tightened, according to The Associated Press.

Parents should take these cord-related safety steps:

• Do not allow children on or near exercise equipment when it’s in use.

• Unplug unused machines or keep them in a locked room.

• Do not put furniture near windows, where children could climb up and reach vertical blind cords.

• Mount cords at least 5 feet above the floor, if possible.