34
CPSC NEISS Data 2005–2024

Electric Frying Pans And Skillets

Twenty years of CPSC NEISS emergency-room records for this consumer product category, combined with demographic breakdowns, multi-year injury trends, and matching recall notices.

Kitchen Cooking Appliances · CPSC Code 222

Down 10% over 5 years

The verdict

Electric Frying Pans And Skillets carry a danger score of 34/100 (low risk), driven by roughly 748 ER-treated injuries a year that are declining by about 10% over the last five years.

34/100
danger score (low risk)
748
ER visits per year (avg)
9.0%
end in hospital admission
25-34
most-injured age group

Every figure is rendered from the CPSC NEISS record for product code 222 - last data year 2024.

PlainSafety danger score

0/100100/10034/100
PlainSafety danger score

Source: CPSC NEISS danger-score model As of 2024

How this 34/100 score is built

The score is computed from four CPSC-derived factors for electric frying pans and skillets - no opinion, no editorializing:

  • Injury volume748 ER visits/yr
  • Severity (hospitalization rate)9.0%
  • Fatality rate0.00%
  • 5-year trend-10%

See the full methodology for the exact weighting of each factor.

What the CPSC Data Shows

Electric Frying Pans And Skillets (CPSC product code 222, in the Kitchen Cooking Appliances category) generate an estimated 748 emergency-room visits every year in the United States, adding up to roughly 14,956 ER-treated injuries across the 20-year span from 2005 to 2024. PlainSafety derives a danger score of 34/100 for this category (low risk), combining raw injury volume, demographic reach, severity of outcome, and multi-year trend. The five-year trajectory shows that injury counts are declining by about 10% over the last five years, with the busiest year on record being 2019 (1,473 estimated ER visits) and the quietest 2014 (244 estimated visits).

The single most common ER diagnosis for electric frying pans and skillets is burns, thermal to the hand, accounting for approximately 3,002 visits across the 20-year NEISS window, followed by burn, scald to the hand (1,407 cases). The 25-34 age group absorbs the largest share of injuries, about 2,497 cases over the NEISS window, and females appear slightly more often than the opposite sex in that cohort. Severity outcomes from the NEISS disposition field show that 9.0% of ER visits involving this product end in hospital admission or transfer.

Beyond the hospital-sampled NEISS projections, this page also aggregates 24 consumer incident reports filed directly on SaferProducts.gov, plus 20 anonymized ER narratives - together forming a layered picture of how electric frying pans and skillets fail in real households. Every figure on this page comes from CPSC-published data: NEISS projects national estimates from a probability sample of about 100 U.S. hospital emergency departments, while SaferProducts.gov collects voluntary reports from consumers, manufacturers, and clinicians. The danger score, trend indicators, and demographic breakdowns update automatically when CPSC releases a new yearly NEISS file, which is why this page is dated 2024-12-31. For regulatory context, consult CPSC recall notices and the SaferProducts.gov public database linked below.

748
Injuries / Year
9.0%
Hospitalization Rate
0.00%
Fatality Rate

Annual Injury Estimates (2005–2024)

05001K2K2K 20052008201120142017202020232024 867
Estimated annual emergency-room visits for Electric Frying Pans And Skillets, CPSC NEISS

Source: CPSC NEISS national injury estimates As of 2024

Source: CPSC NEISS national estimates CPSC NEISS national estimates Injuries represent ER-treated cases only

Who Gets Injured?

Age Group Male Female Total
0-4 715 380 1,095
5-14 745 885 1,630
15-24 1,113 1,035 2,148
25-34 851 1,646 2,497
35-44 737 1,484 2,221
45-54 890 1,431 2,321
55-64 435 1,096 1,531
65-74 318 607 925
75+ 248 347 595

Most Common Injuries

Body Part Diagnosis Est. Injuries
Hand Burns, Thermal 3,002
Hand Burn, Scald 1,407
Lower Arm Burns, Thermal 1,063
Finger Burns, Thermal 1,043
Lower Arm Burn, Scald 846
All Parts Body Anoxia 579
Finger Burn, Scald 563
Face Burn, Scald 521
Foot Burn, Scald 515
Foot Contusions, Abr. 290
Head Laceration 274
Finger Laceration 250
Head Internal Injury 236
Upper Trunk Burn, Scald 214
Face Laceration 198

Severity Breakdown

Treated/examined And Released 89.9% (13,446)
Treated And Admitted/hospitalized 4.8% (711)
Treated And Transferred 4.1% (619)
Left Without Being Seen 1.1% (164)
Held For Observation 0.1% (21)

ER Visit Narratives

Real anonymized emergency room reports from the CPSC NEISS database.

Age 55 · Female · Face · Laceration · 2024

55 YOF HERE VIA EMS. WAS COOKING BACON PUT IT IN THE PAN AND PASSED OUT. DX: CHIN LACERATION

Age 10 · Male · Face · Burn, Scald · 2024

10 YOM FACE BURNS FROM HOT GREASE SPLASHED ON HIM FROM SKILLET DX PARTIAL THICKNESS BURN FACE, PARTIAL THICKNESS BURN CHEST WALL

Age 30 · Female · Foot · Other · 2024

30YOF TO ER FOR RIGHT FOOT INJURY. PT WAS GETTING READY TO COOK & DROP A SKILLET ON HER RIGHT FOOT DX INJURY OF RIGHT FOOT

Age 25 · Male · Lower Arm · Burn, Scald · 2024

25 YOM PRESENTED WITH A BURN INJURY SUSTAINED APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK PRIOR. THE INJURY OCCURRED WHILE COOKING HAMBURGERS IN A SKILLET, DURING WHICH GREASE SPLASHED ONTO HIM. PARTIAL THICKNESS BURNS IN A SPLATTER PATTERN ON THE RIGHT FOREARM ON THE VOLAR ASPECT. DX SUBACUTE BURNS

Age 35 · Male · Finger · Burns, Thermal · 2024

35YOM WITH BURN TO FINGER FROM A HOT PAN DX: FINGER BURN

Age 94 · Male · Lower Arm · Burns, Thermal · 2024

94 YOM STATES THAT AT 930 THIS MORNING HE WAS COOKING EGGS/BREAKFAST FOR HIS FAMILY WHEN HE BEGAN TO FEEL A WEAKNESS AND NEED TO SIT DOWN. PATIENT DOES STATE THAT HE HAS A BURN TO THE INFERIOR ASPECT OF HIS LEFT ARM DUE TO TOUCHING IT ON THE SKILLET AS HE WAS LOSING CONSCIOUSNESS. PATIENT ALSO HAS A LACERATION TO THE RIGHT POINTER FINGER. DX SYNCOPE

Age 31 · Female · Lower Arm · Burns, Thermal · 2024

31YOF TO ER FOR BURN TO RIGHT FOREARM, PT SAYS BURNED SELF ON HOT SLILLET TETNUS NOT UTD DX PARTIAL THICKNESS BURN RIGHT FOREARM

Age 21 · Male · Foot · Other · 2024

21YOM TO ER FOR LEFT FOOT PAIN AFTER DROPPING A PAN ON IT DX DX FOOT PAIN, LEFT

Age 14 · Male · Finger · Burns, Thermal · 2024

14YOM WITH GRABBING A HOT PAN DX: BURNS TO FINGERS

Age 12 · Male · Head · Laceration · 2024

12YOM PT STRUCK IN HEAD WITH A FRYING PAN BY HIS BROTHER DX: LAC OF SCALP

Age 27 · Female · Hand · Burns, Thermal · 2024

27YOF C/O HAND AND FINGER BURN S/P PT STATES SHE SHE WAS PULLING A SKILLET OUT OF THE OVEN WHEN IT STARTED TO FALL AND SHE NATURALLY REACHED OUT TO BRAB IT WITH HER LEFT HAND. DX: SUPERFICAL PARTIAL BURN ON LEFT HAND AND FINGERS

Age 5 · Male · Lower Arm · Burn, Scald · 2024

5YOM DAD WAS COOKING TORTILLAS WITH OIL AND WHEN HE PULLED THE TORTILLA OUT OF THE SKILLET SOME OIL SPLASHED ONTO HIS LEFT FOREARM DX: SCALD BURN TO FOREARM

Consumer Incident Reports

Reports filed by consumers on SaferProducts.gov.

9/27/2011 · Incident, No Injury · NATIONAL PRESTO INDUSTRIES, INC. · Maine

I purchased a 16 inch Presto electric skillet with a glass top 5 months ago. Yesterday, the glass skillet top shatterred in my dishwasher, leaving a million shards all over the dishwasher, and the floor. This was not the first time it had been put in the dishwasher. Fortunately my spouse did not get injured. He waited until I came home, and we had to use a shop vac to clean out the dishwasher.he was emptying the dishwasher of clean dishes.

8/31/2011 · Injury, Seen by Medical Professional · CONTINENTAL ELECTRIC, LLC · Colombia

My mom got two fingers of her right hand burned with the copper resistor of an electric skillet. She was going to unplug the cable with the left hand, and grabbed the skillet from the side with the right hand and got burned. She said that the resistor is located underneath the skillet, by the handle, and since it is exposed, it represents a high risk for the user to get burned.

8/3/2022 · Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional · Spectrum Brands, Inc. · Wisconsin

The consumer indicates that her electric frying pan flies off her counter since it does not have any form of rubber feet at the bottom. The consumer was stirring her asparagus when it slid off the counter and grease got all over her legs. The consumer treated her burns. The consumer contacted the Manufacturer and explained the situation; the representative she spoke to advise her to cut the cord and send the product back to them in order to replace it. The consumer does not believe that simply replacing the product will address the bigger issue. The consumer states that she uses the unit approximately three times per week. The consumer plans on keeping her electric frying pan for at least the next thirty minutes in case an investigation ensues.

8/12/2023 · Incident, No Injury · MAXI-MATIC · Missouri

The Electric skillet's removable power plug/cord melted from the inside and no longer can be used to power the skillet. This is a fire hazard.

7/6/2018 · Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received · Walmart Stores Inc. · Utah

I purchased the Farberware XL Electric Skillet Model #G779 UPC 6922495797798 from Walmart in Lindon, Utah within the last 30 days. When I finally opened and used it I was cooking steaks and when I lifted the lid to turn the meat hot steam water ran down my left arm and side because there is no seal around the rim. I thought at first it was spilling over the lip but every time I lifted it the water ran down. So I tested it with tap water over the sink and water was coming out the edge and not over the lip. Luckily I did it before the water got so hot that it would have burned me badly. I tested all the many lids I had like that and non of them leaked. I bought a second skillet exactly like it at the American Fork Utah Walmart and it does the same thing. I called the number 1-855-451-2897 on the box for FarberWare and it went to Walmart customer service. The lady who took my call said she would send the information to their safety department and I could return the skillets to the store. I was going to ask for proof of my call and all of a sudden I was sent to take a survey. She didn't take my information or anything. I am trying to prevent serious injury here. What if my grandchild was standing by me and hot water had burned them? I don't think many incidences of this should have to happen before anything is done. One incident is too many.

6/3/2016 · Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received · BIALETTI · New York

(6/2/16) The consumer used the skillet to cook and about 25 minutes later the consumer went to pick up the lid with his right hand. The consumer states that steam was emitting through the hold in the lid and he paused for a second to allow the liquid to fall in the skillet. The consumer then held the lid upside down on his arm and the hot liquid he expected to pour onto the skillet traveled between the glass lid and the metal band burned the consumer's right forearm. The consumer states he did not require medical attention. The consumer believes the lid has a poor and unsafe design. (6/3/16) The consumer obtained the firm's number from the manual (866-832-4843) and called them to inform them about his safety concerns. The consumer states that the Rep. (name unknown) offered to send him a replacement and request that the consumer send them the power cord along with his purchase receipt. However, the consumer did not want a replacement and declined the offer. The consumer was told by the Rep. that they have not received any complaints such as his. The consumer then visited a local Bed Bath & Beyond store and explained to the store employee the safety hazard with the product. The consumer returned the skillet and was offered a different product. The consumer indicated that this was the first time he used the skillet.

6/13/2013 · Incident, No Injury · Focus Products Group International, LLC · Illinois

(06/13/2013) The consumer stated that frying pan was on the counter. The lid was on the pan. Suddenly the lid exploded. The glass went all over the kitchen and the dining room. The pan was not in use. The consumer stated that he had not used it since he bought it at the yard sale.

6/1/2012 · Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received · CE NORTH AMERICA, LLC · South Carolina

After frying bacon my husband unpluged the skillet and removed the detachable cord, he then picked up the skillet full of hot grease to pour it out so he could wash it and the handle broke off in his hand and he dropped the skillet causing the legs to break and the skillet to bend and breaking the other handle. I purchased Four of these skillets at the after Thanksgiving (BLACK FRIDAY) sale at two different Dollar Generals Garners Ferry Road Hopkins S. C. and Eastover S.C. I gave one to each of my three daughters for Christmas and kept one for myself. My daughters have experienced the bottoms rusting out and one of them caught fire and she hadn't even put anything in it yet all she did was plug it up and turn it on it started sparking and the cord caught fire. Her husband threw it away. I reported this incident to someone in the Corporate offices at Dollar General but haven't heard anything in response to my complaint. The brand is Continental Electric Platinum Series 12 inch Electric Skillet with cool touch handles, made exclusivly for Dollar General Corporation. They originally sold for $30.00 but were $15.00 each during this sale. I want a refund for all four skillets.

Showing 8 of 24 reports.

Product Recalls

Search for active and past recalls related to electric frying pans and skillets on the CPSC website.

Frequently Asked Questions

How dangerous are electric frying pans and skillets?

Based on 20 years of CPSC data, electric frying pans and skillets have a danger score of 34/100 (low risk). An estimated 748 ER-treated injuries occur annually in the U.S. related to this product category.

What are the most common injuries from electric frying pans and skillets?

The most common injury is burns, thermal to the hand, accounting for approximately 3,002 injuries over 20 years.

Are injuries from electric frying pans and skillets increasing or decreasing?

Down 10% over 5 years.

Who is most at risk for electric frying pans and skillets injuries?

The 25-34 age group accounts for the most injuries, with approximately 2,497 cases recorded over 20 years. Females are more frequently injured in this age group.

What happens when someone is injured by electric frying pans and skillets?

Of all ER visits involving electric frying pans and skillets, approximately 9.0% result in hospital admission. The majority of patients (91.0%) are treated and released from the emergency department.

How can I report a safety problem with electric frying pans and skillets?

You can file a consumer incident report at SaferProducts.gov, the official CPSC reporting portal. Reports help the CPSC identify emerging hazards and trigger investigations or recalls. You can also call the CPSC hotline at 1-800-638-2772.

Safety Guides

What this means for you

Treat the 34/100 score as relative risk between products, not your personal odds of injury.

  • See where this category ranks against every other tracked product. Full rankings
  • Injuries cluster in the 25-34 age group, take extra care if that describes your household.
  • Check for active recalls on this product before you assume it is safe. CPSC recalls

NEISS estimates ER-treated injuries from a national probability sample of hospitals; they do not capture injuries treated elsewhere or not treated at all.

Data: CPSC National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) 2005–2024 and SaferProducts.gov consumer incident reports. Injury estimates are based on a nationally representative probability sample of U.S. hospital emergency departments. This page is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with the CPSC.