Our homes are filled with the items we rely on every day, furniture, appliances, toys, and tools that help us cook, clean, relax, and raise our families. But while these products may seem harmless, many pose serious safety risks. 1 in 26 Americans is injured by a household item each year.
From slippery floors to unstable furniture, the modern home is full of potential hazards. In this report by Claggett, Sykes & Garza we explore the leading causes of at-home injuries, the age groups most affected, and what can be done to make our homes safer.
The Household Items Causing the Most Injuries
According to the National Safety Council, 12.7 million people visited emergency rooms in 2023 for injuries caused by everyday products and fixtures at home.
The most common culprits included:
- Stairs, floors, and landings – 2.72 million injuries
- Beds and mattresses – 923,390 injuries
- Chairs and sofas – 615,276 injuries
- Bathtubs and shower fixtures – 542,586 injuries
- Exercise equipment – 482,886 injuries
Even items like rugs, space heaters, or kitchen tools can pose a significant risk, leading to falls, burns, or lacerations. Many of these injuries are caused by routine activities, getting out of bed, stepping out of the shower, or lifting a heavy object.
What Types of Injuries Are Most Common?
Injuries sustained at home vary widely in severity, but some of the most frequently reported include:
- Lacerations and cuts
- Fractures and broken bones
- Head injuries and concussions
- Internal injuries
- Sprains and strains
- Burns and scalds
- Poisoning, especially from cleaning supplies or medications
Products we use without a second thought, hairdryers, electric kettles, curling irons, send thousands of Americans to the hospital each year due to burns or shocks.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Some age groups are significantly more vulnerable to home-related injuries:
- Children ages 0–4 suffered over 1.25 million injuries in 2023. Furniture tip-overs, choking hazards, falls, and burns from hot liquids are common issues.
- Adults 85+ accounted for over 783,000 injuries, often due to falls caused by uneven flooring, loose rugs, or poor lighting.
- Teens (10–19) experienced over 2 million injuries total, largely from scooters, sports gear, kitchen tools, and increased independence around high-risk areas of the home.
Adults between the ages of 20 and 64 weren’t spared either. Injuries in this group were frequently linked to kitchen appliances, power tools, ladders, and exercise equipment.
Why Summer Is Injury Season
Injury rates spike during the summer months. Warmer weather and time off from school or work lead to increased outdoor activity and heavier use of seasonal products. According to federal data, summertime sees a sharp rise in injuries related to:
- Trampolines
- Grills and barbecues
- Bicycles and scooters
- Pools
- Fireworks (especially around July 4th)
Children are especially vulnerable, with nearly 1 million ER visits between June and August alone tied to summertime products.
Why Women Experience More Household Injuries
Women are more likely to be injured by household products than men, not due to clumsiness, but because of exposure, caregiving roles, and design bias.
National injury surveillance data shows women suffer more injuries from:
- Furniture and tip-overs
- Kitchen appliances
- Slips and falls
- Personal care items like curling irons and beauty tools
Women often use a wider range of household and personal products, and many of those products weren’t originally designed with their needs or safety in mind. Poor ergonomics, lack of child-safe packaging, and outdated safety standards are common issues.
Product Safety Has a Gender Bias
Research has shown that many consumer products are still tested on male body models—whether it’s power tools, safety equipment, or even medications. This design bias has real-world consequences:
- Tools and appliances may be harder for women to grip or operate safely
- Medication dosages may not account for female physiology
- Packaging may fail to prevent accidental child access
Until product testing includes diverse users, including women, seniors, and children, millions remain at unnecessary risk.
What Causes Product-Related Injuries?
Injuries can occur for several reasons:
- Improper use or lack of instructions
- Design flaws or manufacturing defects
- Counterfeit or unregulated products, especially bought online
- Poorly designed packaging
- Lack of clear safety labeling or warnings
Even well-made products can become dangerous if they’re misused or poorly explained. In some cases, vague instructions or difficult-to-understand warnings lead to misuse and injury, particularly with tools, grooming devices, or children’s toys.
Dangerous Products on the Market
Several high-profile consumer products have come under scrutiny in recent years for causing serious injuries or fatalities:
- Future Motion One-Wheeled Scooters – Linked to deaths and head injuries
- Fitbit Devices – Over 100 reports of burns
- Apple Watches – Reports of burns and skin reactions
- Rad Power E-Bikes – Over 130 crash reports, many involving fractures
- Conair Hair Dryers – Associated with fire risks and burns
These products highlight a larger issue: many items hit the market without enough real-world safety testing or without keeping up with evolving user risks.
Recalls Are Increasing—But Are They Enough?
In 2023, the U.S. saw 3,301 product recalls, a 10% increase from the previous year. While recalls are an important safeguard, they come after injuries have already occurred. Prevention, through better design, clearer labeling, and real-world user testing, remains critical.
A Call for Prevention
The fact that 12.7 million Americans were injured at home in 2023 is a wake-up call. From toddlers injured by unsecured furniture to seniors falling on stairs, these are not rare, freak accidents; they’re part of a growing public health concern.
To reverse this trend, we need:
- Human-centered design
- Clearer safety standards and labeling
- Stricter testing and regulation for online and imported products
- Education for consumers about injury prevention
- Safety regulations that reflect real-world use and diverse users
Injured by a Household Product? We’re Here to Help.
We advocate for individuals injured by unsafe or defective products. If you or a loved one has suffered due to a dangerous household item, we’re here to hold manufacturers accountable and help you seek the compensation you deserve.
