Following the record low number of consumer product-related injuries reported in 2020 (an 18 percent decrease), injuries increased 6.8 percent in 2021 and 7.8 percent in 2022, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The agency reported that in the first seven months of the COVID-19 pandemic visits to emergency departments for consumer product-related injuries fell 24 percent, likely due to shelter-in-place restrictions. The largest decrease occurred in April, with a 45 percent decrease. Over the full year, consumer product injuries treated in emergency departments decreased 18 percent in 2020 compared to 2019.

The largest decrease recorded in 2020 were sports-related injuries. Visits for minor injuries, such as strains and sprains decreased over 40 percent, while more severe injuries like amputations remained relatively stable.

This consumer product data reflects only emergency department visits, not self-treated injuries or those treated in doctor’s offices or urgent care centers. As a result, it is unclear if injuries actually decreased in 2020 or if visits to emergency departments to treat the injuries merely decreased.

In 2022, 12.7 million people were treated in emergency departments for injuries resulting from consumer products, the agency noted. Most injuries involve everyday products often assumed to be safe.

Common products such as televisions, household cleaning products and beds can pose risks.

The top three consumer product-related injuries for 2022:

1. Stairs, ramps, landings and floors = 2.9 million injuries
2. Beds, pillows, mattresses = 906,000 injuries
3. Chairs, sofas, sofa beds – 597,000 injuries

Many injuries involve older adults and young children. According to the safety agency, children aged 0-4 have one of the highest injury rates.

The top three consumer product-related injuries to children 0-4 years of age in 2022:

1. Soaps and detergents = 13,171 injuries
2. Televisions and stands = 6,388 injuries
3. Cooking ranges and ovens = 8,305 injuries