Electric Razors Or Shavers
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.
Personal Care & Safety Products · CPSC Code 1664
Up 14% over 5 years
The verdict
Electric Razors Or Shavers carry a danger score of 32/100 (low risk), driven by roughly 469 ER-treated injuries a year that are rising by about 14% over the last five years.
- 32/100
- danger score (low risk)
- 469
- ER visits per year (avg)
- 5.0%
- end in hospital admission
- 35-44
- most-injured age group
Every figure is rendered from the CPSC NEISS record for product code 1664 - last data year 2024.
PlainSafety danger score
How this 32/100 score is built
The score is computed from four CPSC-derived factors for electric razors or shavers - no opinion, no editorializing:
- Injury volume469 ER visits/yr
- Severity (hospitalization rate)5.0%
- Fatality rate0.00%
- 5-year trend+14%
See the full methodology for the exact weighting of each factor.
What the CPSC Data Shows
Electric Razors Or Shavers (CPSC product code 1664, in the Personal Care & Safety Products category) generate an estimated 469 emergency-room visits every year in the United States, adding up to roughly 9,371 ER-treated injuries across the 20-year span from 2005 to 2024. PlainSafety derives a danger score of 32/100 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 rising by about 14% over the last five years, with the busiest year on record being 2014 (949 estimated ER visits) and the quietest 2015 (69 estimated visits).
The single most common ER diagnosis for electric razors or shavers is laceration to the face, accounting for approximately 1,053 visits across the 20-year NEISS window, followed by laceration to the finger (792 cases). The 35-44 age group absorbs the largest share of injuries, about 1,776 cases over the NEISS window, and males appear slightly more often than the opposite sex in that cohort. Severity outcomes from the NEISS disposition field show that 5.0% of ER visits involving this product end in hospital admission or transfer.
Beyond the hospital-sampled NEISS projections, this page also aggregates 32 consumer incident reports filed directly on SaferProducts.gov, plus 20 anonymized ER narratives - together forming a layered picture of how electric razors or shavers 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.
Annual Injury Estimates (2005–2024)
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 | 114 | 99 | |
| 5-14 | 286 | 152 | |
| 15-24 | 618 | 561 | |
| 25-34 | 1,254 | 228 | |
| 35-44 | 1,206 | 496 | |
| 45-54 | 892 | 197 | |
| 55-64 | 487 | 151 | |
| 65-74 | 897 | 31 | |
| 75+ | 1,383 | 243 |
Most Common Injuries
| Body Part | Diagnosis | Est. Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| Face | Laceration | |
| Finger | Laceration | |
| Pubic Region | Laceration | |
| Mouth | Laceration | |
| Face | Other | |
| Lower Trunk | Other | |
| Pubic Region | Other | |
| Head | Other | |
| Ear | Laceration | |
| Mouth | Other | |
| Face | Derma/conjunct | |
| Pubic Region | Derma/conjunct | |
| Pubic Region | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Upper Trunk | Other | |
| Lower Leg | Other |
Severity Breakdown
ER Visit Narratives
Real anonymized emergency room reports from the CPSC NEISS database.
8YOM PRESENTS WITH AN ELECTRIC RAZOR OR ELECTRIC NAIL CLIPPER STUCK ON HIS TONGUE. DX: ORAL FOREIGN BODY, TONGUE LACERATION
28 YOM WENT TO A BARBER AND HAD HIS HEAD SHAVED BY AN ELECTRIC RAZOR, C/O ITCHING AND BURNING PAIN TO HEAD. DX: PSEUDOFOLLICULITIS, FOLLICULITIS
33 YOM PRESENTS WITH RAZOR BURN ON FACE FOR SIX MONTHS IN STATES HE HAS BEEN USING AN ELECTRIC RAZOR. DX: PSEUDOFOLLICULITIS BARBAE.
35YOM WAS USING AN ELECTRICAL HAIR SHAVER ON HIS GROIN AND SUSTAINED AN INJURY NOW HAS AN OPEN WOUND DX: OPEN WOUND UP INGUINAL REGION
35 YOM NOTICED AN ABSCESS AFTER HE SHAVED THAT AREA OF HIS LEG WITH AN ELECTRIC RAZOR. DX: CELLULITIS AND ABSCESS OF LEFT LEG
63YOM WAS USING AN ELECTRIC RAZOR WHEN HE ACCIDENTALLY POKED HIMSELF IN HIS UPPER LIP DX: PUNCTURE WOUND TO LIP
81 YOM STATES YESTERDAY EVENING HE WAS SHAVING WITH AN ELECTRIC RAZOR, WAS DISTRACTED AND NICKED THE CORNER OF HIS LIP. DX: ABRASION OF LIP
94YOF C/O FOREIGN BODY STUCK IN SKIN S/P PT'S SON BROUGHT PT TO ED BECAUSE PT HAS AN ELECTRIC RAZOR CAP STUCK UNDER HER SKIN ON HER CHIN. DX: SKIN FOREIGN BODY
35YOM PRESENTS TO ED FOR EVAL OF FACIAL SWELLING THAT FIRST BEGAN YESTERDAY. PT REPORTS CUTTING HIS NOSE WITH HIS ELECTRIC RAZOR AND TRIED CLEANING THE WOUND OUT WITH HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, BUT THE PEROXIDE WENT INTO HIS EYE. HE HAS SINCE HAD SWELLING UNDER HIS EYELID. REPORTS NO PAIN OR VISION CHANGES TO HIS EYE. +LACERATION OF NOSE DX; PRESEPTAL CELLULITIS OF RIGHT EYE
62YOM PRESNETED WITH SEVERAL BUMPS ON CHIN. USES AN ELECTRIC RAZOR. DX: FOLLICULITIS
79YOM PRESENTS WITH BLEEDING FROM WOUND IN GROIN AREA AFTER HE WAS SHAVING GROIN USING ELECTRIC RAZOR AND MAY HAVE HAD A SMALL BUMP THAT HE HIT AND IT WAS BLEEDING. HAS SMALL PUNCTURE WOUND TO UPPER PELVIC AREA. DX: VISIT FOR WOUND CHECK
18YOM WAS TRIMMING HIS PUBIC HAIR WITH AN ELECTRIC RAZOR WHEN HE SUSTAINED A LARGE LACERATION OF HIS FORESKIN DX: LACERATION OF FORESKIN
Consumer Incident Reports
Reports filed by consumers on SaferProducts.gov.
I charged my brand new Philips One Blade razor using the provided cord. When I went to take it off after it had finished charging, the light to charge it was not illuminated all of a sudden. I took the device off and it was extremely hot to the touch and the battery has caused the plastic around the bottom to expand and push the pieces apart due to an overload of the battery or a failure of international circuitry. The battery compartment was hissing with a low volume high pitched almost whistle like noise and emitting a slight foul odor. This could cause burns to someone, chemical exposure to Lithium Ion battery components. Outlets tested and are providing correct current and voltage specified by manufacturer narrowing issue down to product itself. The device had been charging for less than one hour.
On Saturday August 27, 2017 at approximately four P.M. my wife and I detected the smell of burning, a check of rooms brought us to the main bedroom where the odor was the strongest. As we investigated the source of the smell we observed flames in the adjoining bathroom, upon entering it was noted that the electric shaver and base / charger were on fire, flames rising 12 to 15 inches. The electrical wire was immediately pulled from the wall socket and the shaver and charger were pushed into the wash basin where they were doused with water until the flames subsided. Should no occupants happen to be in the dwelling or had we be in the lower level it is certain that a fire would ensue putting our health or life in peril or risking injury. A small burn to the finger tips was received and treated by me.
I had a 10 to 15 year old Braun series 7 shaver that had worked fine for all the time I had it, until the other day. I was shaving and it got too hot to hold. I dropped it in the sink and fire started coming out of it, so I turned on the water to douse the flames.
Purchased a Revlon Smooth & Glamorous Ladies Shaver (RV557C) at Ulta. After opening a hermetically sealed plastic package, the products cord was chard along with the interior packaging. It shows that the product shorted out while being in the package. We called Revlon (Helen of Troy) and they were not concerned and told us to return it to the place of purchase.
(7/9/2012) The consumer's spouse plugged in his razor to shave. Approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute after plugging in the unit, the razor engulfed into flames. The consumer used the fire extinguisher to put out the flames. There were no injuries associated with the incident. The consumer mentioned that there were smoke damages to the entire bathroom. The fire department was called and came out to the home. They informed her that the razor was the cause, which was already known. The manufacturer was contacted the same day. A representative advised the consumer to email pictures to them. She took pictures of the razor with her cell phone and sent them to the manufacturer via email. While on the phone they advised her that she should send in the unit for them inspection.
While shaving my face with my Norelco 8150XL razor, one part of the razor head that retains the spinning blades gave way and the blade and cover flew out of the razor. I was not injured, but there is a strong possibility of injury to face to eye with this kind of breakdown of the razor.
Remington titanium MSC-140 battery operated razor purchased around June 2013 and within six months the micro screen separated from the head of the razor posing a laceration hazard. He contacted the manufacturer who replaced it with the same model, however six months later he experienced the same problem. He again contacted the manufacturer and they replaced the razor with a different model. The third razor also lasted around six months before the micro screen separated from the head of the razor and the consumer suffered a nick on his cheek maybe the size of a centimeter on July 28th, 2015. He contacted the manufacturer July 28th, 2015 and was advised to return all three razors and he received the prepaid shipping kit today. There are no injuries being reported. The caller has stated that he is reporting these products because the micro screen is very sharp. He will return the three razors today.
I received two electric shocks from remington epilator ep-7010. Shocks came from where the cord meets the unit. Cord does not go into unit far enough.
Showing 8 of 32 reports.
Product Recalls
Search for active and past recalls related to electric razors or shavers on the CPSC website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How dangerous are electric razors or shavers?
Based on 20 years of CPSC data, electric razors or shavers have a danger score of 32/100 (low risk). An estimated 469 ER-treated injuries occur annually in the U.S. related to this product category.
What are the most common injuries from electric razors or shavers?
The most common injury is laceration to the face, accounting for approximately 1,053 injuries over 20 years.
Are injuries from electric razors or shavers increasing or decreasing?
Up 14% over 5 years.
Who is most at risk for electric razors or shavers injuries?
The 35-44 age group accounts for the most injuries, with approximately 1,776 cases recorded over 20 years. Males are more frequently injured in this age group.
What happens when someone is injured by electric razors or shavers?
Of all ER visits involving electric razors or shavers, approximately 5.0% result in hospital admission. The majority of patients (95.0%) are treated and released from the emergency department.
How can I report a safety problem with electric razors or shavers?
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.
Related Products in Personal Care & Safety Products
Safety Guides
What this means for you
Treat the 32/100 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 35-44 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.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, scored, and verified.