Consumer Product Injuries Continue to Rise After Low in 2020

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Following the record low number of consumer product-related injuries reported in 2020 (an 18% decrease), injuries increased 6.8% in 2021 and 7.8% 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%, likely due to shelter-in-place restrictions. The largest decrease occurred in April, with a 45% decrease. Over the full year, consumer product injuries treated in emergency departments decreased 18% 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%, 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.