Our homes are where we feel most at ease, but they’re also where millions of injuries happen every year. From stairs and showers to sofas and stoves, the everyday products we rely on can cause serious harm if used improperly, poorly designed, or simply overlooked.

Recent data shows that 1 in 26 Americans is injured each year in their own home. In 2023 alone, 12.7 million people were treated in emergency rooms across the U.S. for injuries caused by common household items and fixtures. The numbers tell a powerful story: the danger isn’t always outside, it’s often right under our roof. This recent study by Claggett, Sykes & Garza explores these numbers a bit more in-depth.

Top Household Hazards by the Numbers

According to the National Safety Council, the top five items most likely to cause injury at home include:

• Stairs, floors, and landings – 2.72 million injuries
• Beds and mattresses – 923,390 injuries
• Chairs, sofas, and recliners – 615,276 injuries
• Bathtubs and shower fixtures – 542,586 injuries
• Exercise equipment – 482,886 injuries

These numbers reflect not just accidental missteps but larger issues with product design, home safety standards, and a lack of proper warnings or use instructions.

Other common items responsible for ER visits include:

• Kitchen appliances and knives (burns and lacerations)
• Cleaning products (chemical exposure and poisoning)
• Hair tools and space heaters (burns and fire hazards)
• Furniture tip-overs, especially involving small children

Most Common Injuries at Home

The types of injuries people experience vary by age group and activity, but the most frequent injury categories include:

• Lacerations and cuts
• Bone fractures
• Contusions and abrasions
• Strains and sprains
• Burns and scalds
• Head injuries and concussions
• Internal injuries
• Poisoning from household chemicals or medications

It’s not always high-risk items causing harm. A curling iron, a loose rug, or an unstable piece of furniture can result in a trip to the ER if safety is not prioritized.

Who Is Getting Hurt—and Why?

Injury data shows clear patterns when it comes to age:

• Ages 0–4: Over 1.25 million injuries in 2023, many involving toy scooters, falls from furniture, choking, and burns from hot surfaces or liquids.
• Ages 5–9: Toys, bikes, and playground equipment are top injury sources, especially during unsupervised play.
• Ages 10–14: Sports equipment, scooters, and kitchen tools frequently cause fractures and sprains.
• Ages 15–19: Motorized devices, e-bikes, and household tools lead to high injury rates involving concussions, strains, and bone breaks.
• Ages 20–64: Adults are commonly injured by kitchen appliances, ladders, exercise equipment, and power tools.
• Ages 65+: Falls are the biggest risk, especially from stairs, rugs, and flooring. Injuries often involve fractures, head trauma, or serious burns.

While injury risk changes across a person’s lifespan, it’s clear that both the youngest and oldest Americans face the greatest danger inside their homes.

Why Summer Brings the Highest Injury Rates

Summer is the peak season for product-related injuries. Increased outdoor activity, heat exhaustion, and seasonal product use all play a role. Between June and August, nearly 1 million children visit emergency rooms for injuries related to:

• Bicycles and scooters
• Trampolines
• Grills and fire pits
• Swimming pools
• Fireworks (especially around July 4th)

Lack of supervision, poor product maintenance, and improper use are common contributing factors.

Gender Disparities in Home Injuries

National data shows that women account for nearly 60% of product-related injuries in the home. This isn’t because women are more accident-prone, it’s because:

• Women often take on more household and caregiving responsibilities
• Many products are designed with male proportions in mind, leading to awkward handling or poor ergonomics
• Women interact more frequently with kitchen tools, personal care products, and cleaning agents—all of which carry unique risks
• Safety standards often ignore gender-specific needs in design and testing

Meanwhile, men are more frequently injured by power tools, heavy machinery, and sports equipment, reflecting different usage patterns and risks.

Why So Many Products Cause Injuries

Beyond user error, many injuries are caused by:

• Poor product design or lack of safety features
• Inadequate instructions or unclear warnings
• Counterfeit goods, especially from online marketplaces
• Faulty packaging, including unsecured medicine bottles
• Overheating electronics or outdated appliances

Even popular brands have come under scrutiny:

• Future Motion scooters – Linked to fatal crashes and serious head injuries
• Fitbit – Reports of second- and third-degree burns
• Apple Watch – Reports of skin burns and rashes
• Rad Power e-bikes – Crash incidents and broken bones
• Conair blow dryers – Associated with fires and burns

Product Recalls Are on the Rise

In 2023, the U.S. saw 3,301 product recalls, marking a 10.6% increase and the highest in seven years. Yet recalls are often reactive, issued only after injuries occur. Prevention must come first, through improved design, clearer instructions, and modernized testing standards.

Preventing Injuries Starts with Better Design and Education

To reduce household injuries, we need:

• Inclusive product testing across genders, age groups, and physical abilities
• Clear, easy-to-understand instructions and multilingual labeling
• Stronger enforcement for online marketplaces and imported products
• User education on safety, product maintenance, and proper handling
• Updated safety standards that keep pace with new technology

Injured by a Household Product? We Can Help.

At Claggett, Sykes & Garza, we represent individuals injured by unsafe or defective products. If you or a loved one has suffered harm at home due to a product failure, poor design, or lack of proper warnings, our legal team is here to help you pursue compensation.

Let us advocate for your recovery, so your home can feel safe again.