Dangerous Products

Consumer products play a significant role in our daily lives, encompassing everything we purchase. However, it’s important to be aware that these products are responsible for nearly half of all emergency room visits each year. 

Whether it’s the food we consume, the items we apply to our skin, or the products we rely on to ensure our children’s safety, they can pose serious safety risks. Thankfully, there are resources available from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and other public-safety agencies to keep you informed about the products in your home. These resources also provide avenues for reporting any dangers or issues you may have experienced with a particular product.

It’s worth noting that common household products contribute to a significant number of injuries. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Americans seek medical help for 30 to 40 million defective product injuries annually. The costs associated with these injuries are astonishing, estimated at $1 trillion per year by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. This means that, on average, each person in America bears a cost of roughly $2,800 due to these injuries.

The CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) collects valuable information about product-related injuries, primarily from hospitals. However, as a consumer, you also have the power to report any injuries you’ve experienced directly to the CPSC through their user-friendly Safer Products webpage. Your input and experiences are important in helping the agency stay informed about potential dangers and taking necessary actions to ensure product safety.

Between 2008 and 2010, consumer product injuries made up a significant portion of both nonfatal injuries needing emergency treatment (44%) and injuries resulting in death (29%) in the United States.

Consumer Safety and Product Recalls 

In 1972, the Consumer Product Safety Act was passed, establishing the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and granting it the power to recall or prohibit dangerous goods that pose a risk to consumer safety.

The CPSC oversees approximately 15,000 different kinds of consumer products in the United States. It also tracks injuries throughout 88 product categories, ranging from power tools to baby toys. However, it’s important to note that there are seven additional federal agencies responsible for monitoring and regulating various consumer products, including medicine, automobiles, and boats.

When a product is deemed unsafe, government agencies can order recalls, or they may decide to collaborate with product manufacturers to issue a voluntary product recall.

However, determining which agency to consult for a product recall can sometimes be confusing. For instance, the CPSC oversees nursery equipment and toys, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration handles car seats. Motorcycles fall under the jurisdiction of the NHTSA, while ATVs, scooters, and dirt bikes are monitored by the CPSC.

If you need to find out if a product you own is subject to a product recall, you can search for information at recalls.gov. This website combines the search results from six different government agencies responsible for issuing the most common product recalls, making it easier for consumers to access important recalled product information.

Product Recalls and Safety: Federal Agencies

There are several federal agencies responsible for overseeing product regulations, including: 

1. Consumer Product Safety Commission: The CPSC regulates a wide range of consumer goods to ensure their safety.
2. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): The FDA oversees various products, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, medical devices, tobacco product, and veterinary drugs.
3. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): The FAA focuses on ensuring the safety of aircraft and air transport. 
4. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): The NHTSA is responsible for overseeing commercial trucks, passenger cars, tires, motorcycles, and car seats.
5. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The EPA monitors the safety of fungicides, pesticides, and other chemicals in household products.
6. U.S. Coast Guard: The U.S. Coast Guard oversees the safety of boats.
7. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): The USDA regulates agricultural products to ensure their safety and quality.
8. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA): OSHA focuses on the safety of  business and industrial products, including farm equipment.

These agencies play a vital role in ensuring the safety of various consumer products. If you have concerns about a specific product, it’s essential to determine the appropriate agency responsible for that product category.

Home and Living Products

The home is where most product injuries occur, with approximately 9.5 million emergency room visits annually attributed to cleaning products, home design, and maintenance. It’s important to note that not all injuries are solely caused by the products themselves.

Every part of the house—including the yard—can pose risks. Falls down stairs, accidents involving glass doors, injuries from power tools, lawnmowers, exercise equipment, and cleaning products are all potential sources of harm. Surprisingly, around 900,000 injuries each year are related to beds alone.

To gather data on product-related injuries, the CPSC operates the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). Skilled coordinators review patient medical records on a daily basis and collect valuable information. This data is then carefully analyzed and made available to the public through official websites.

Home and Living Product Injuries Reported Each Year

The Consumer Product Safety Commission receives thousands of personal injury reports each year, including: 

• 330,000 tools, lawn and garden equipment injuries
• 180,000 cleaning products, soaps and solvents injuries
• 3.7 million household appliances and furniture injuries 

Sprays and Cleaning Supplies

The American Lung Association cautions about the potential health risks associated with various household products, such as aerosol sprays, cleaning supplies, candles, and air fresheners. These products have been linked to conditions like asthma and cancer. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to assess the specific dangers of these items because manufacturers are not required by U.S. law to disclose all the ingredients used in household products.

It’s important to note that improper disposal of these products can also have negative consequences. It may lead to water pollution or contribute to indoor air pollution within your home. Being aware of these risks, reading warning labels, and taking appropriate measures to minimize exposure and dispose of products responsibly can help protect your health and the environment.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s Safer Choice website makes it easy to find safer alternatives to potentially harmful household products. This helpful tool can help you explore a wide range of options that prioritize product safety.

Children and Baby Products

It’s important to be aware that certain products like cribs, car seats, and toys can pose risks and dangers to children when they are defective or poorly designed. According to the CPSC, toys alone may cause injuries to roughly a quarter million kids annually. This number doesn’t even include injuries caused by bicycles, skateboards, or sporting equipment.

A study published in the journal Pediatrics in 2017 found that nearly six out of every 1,000 infants require an emergency room visit for injuries related to nursery equipment by the age of three. Additionally, the CPSC estimates that a child is injured every 30 minutes due to furniture tipping over or a television falling.

Being mindful of the safety and proper usage of these products can significantly reduce the risks and keep our children protected. By staying informed, following guidelines, and using caution, we can create a safer environment for our little ones.

Child Safety Statistics

Each year, the Consumer Product Safety Commission receives thousands of reports about children and baby products. From manufacturing defect to product packaging to hazardous substances—here are a few of the most common: 

Toys: Each year, approximately 250,000 toy-related injuries are serious enough to require treatment in the emergency room. Ensuring the safety of toys is essential for protecting children.

Nursery Products: Nursery equipment, such as baby carriers, cribs, and strollers, contribute to more than half of all injuries related to nursery equipment, according to a study published in Pediatrics. Taking precautions and using these items properly can help prevent accidents and keep little ones safe.

Car Seats: Between 1997 and 2017, there were 125 recalls of car seats, affecting approximately 37 million households. These recalls, as reported by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), highlight the importance of regularly checking for recalls and ensuring that car seats are properly installed and used to provide optimal safety for our children during travel.

By being aware of these child safety risks, reading warning labels, and taking necessary precautions, we can help protect our children and create a safer environment for them to grow and thrive.

Tech and Electronic Media 

Many injuries related to technology occur due to how we use our electronic devices. It’s common for people to sit in awkward positions while gazing at screens or texting. Some of these injuries even have catchy names like tech neck, selfie elbow, or texting thumb. While these injuries may sound small, some people require physical therapy to recover. It’s important to be mindful of your posture and take frequent breaks to avoid harm while using technology.

Occasionally, the batteries in personal devices can pose serious risks, such as explosions, fires, and severe burns to you or others. Lithium ion batteries are commonly used to power cell phones, laptops, and other tech gadgets due to their long-lasting performance. However, incidents involving battery fires have resulted in recalled products, particularly when it comes to hoverboards and cell phones. 

Moreover, the U.S. Fire Administration has identified a distinct and emerging hazard associated with using lithium ion batteries in vapes and electronic cigarettes. This combination presents a unique and hazardous situation, combining health risks with the potential for serious explosions. It’s crucial to be aware of these risks and exercise caution when using such devices.

The Physical Dangers of Video Games

In 2017, there were approximately 10,200 emergency room visits related to video games. It’s important to note that while video games were associated with these visits, they may not be the direct cause of the injuries. Some common injuries reported included falls, concussions, strained muscles, seizures, and injuries from punching consoles. It’s crucial to practice moderation, take breaks, and ensure a safe gaming environment to minimize the risk of such injuries.

Technology Products Injury Examples

Tech Injuries 

According to ImagineMD, a medical company, “thumb pain” is the most commonly searched injury related to technology, with approximately 10,000 Google searches every month.

Lithium Ion Batteries

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reported 225 incidents of fires caused by lithium batteries in baggage or as cargo on airplanes or within airports. These incidents occurred between 1991 and 2018.

Vapes and Electronic Cigarettes

Explosions and fires related to e-cigarettes have resulted in 133 cases of acute personal injury between 2009 and 2016, as reported by the FDA. It’s essential to be aware of these potential risks associated with e-cigarettes for the sake of personal safety.

Beauty and Hygiene

According to the National Institutes of Health, women in the United States typically use 12 personal care products each day, while men use an average of six. However, many people are uninformed about the ingredients in these everyday products that could lead to potential health issues.

In 2016, researchers from California’s public health sector raised concerns about the presence of hazardous materials in a variety of personal care items. These products ranged from cosmetics to shaving products, and even baby care items. It was discovered that at least 13 types of personal care products contained substances that could lead to significant health consequences, including reproductive complications and cancer risks. It’s essential to be informed about product ingredients and make choices that prioritize your wellbeing.

Personal Care Product Danger Examples

Talcum Powder

The use of talcum powder on the genitals is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” Several studies have indicated a 30 percent higher risk of ovarian cancer associated with talc use.

Cosmetics 

Each year, tens of thousands of potential injuries related to cosmetics are reported. A study conducted in 2017 revealed significant underreporting of cosmetic side effects to the FDA. It’s important to be aware of the potential risks associated with cosmetic products and report any adverse effects for better consumer safety.

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