Danger score versus ER volume
Danger score versus ER volume
According to CPSC NEISS 2005-2024, Footwear ranks #38 of 838 by danger score (46/100) at ER-volume #15 of 838 (194,476/yr). They are not the same ranking.
- #38
- danger rank of 838
- #15
- ER-volume rank of 838
- 46/100
- danger score
- 194,476/yr
- estimated ER visits (avg)
Danger score combines injury volume, hospitalization, fatality, and five-year trend. ER volume is the average annual NEISS estimate alone. Rank 1 is highest on each list.
Where this category's danger score sits nationally
Danger score (46/100) across 838 scored CPSC product categories
46 Higher than most more dangerous than 94% of 838 product categories
scored CPSC product categories, bucketed by value
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more product categories. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source CPSC NEISS, PlainSafety danger-score model · 2024
Composite verdict
Composite Safety Score: 80/100
One verdict blending 4 independently-sourced dimensions from two separate CPSC systems, each benchmarked against all 838 scored product categories by percentile rather than raw value, so no single huge-volume category can dominate the scale.
| Dimension | Value | National percentile | Weight applied | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Injury severity (hospitalization + fatality blend) | 8 | 63rd | 35% | CPSC NEISS 20-year severity index |
| Annual ER injury volume | 194,476 | 100th | 30% | CPSC NEISS estimated annual ER-treated injuries |
| 5-year injury trend | -8% | 53rd | 15% | CPSC NEISS 5-year % change in ER-treated injuries |
| Consumer incident reports | 1,142 | 100th | 20% | CPSC SaferProducts.gov public incident report count |
Methodology: each dimension is ranked against the full population's p10/p25/p50/p75/p90 breakpoints and interpolated to a 0-100 percentile; the composite is the weighted average of available percentiles. See methodology for the full benchmark table.
Where 3.9M estimated ER injuries land on the body
Body-part shares from the same CPSC NEISS injury_types extract for product code 1615. Segments sum to 3.9M - a body-map mix, not a danger score or ER-volume rank.
Two danger lenses
Same-group peer scores and this product's dial
The bars compare PlainSafety danger scores inside the Personal Care & Safety Products group (same CPSC NEISS extract). The dial is this product's score alone on the Low/Moderate/High bands. Do not read a peer bar as an ER-visit count.
Personal Care & Safety Products danger scores
How this 46/100 score is built
The score is computed from four CPSC-derived factors for footwear - no opinion, no editorializing:
- Injury volume 194,476 ER visits/yr Very high volume
- Severity (hospitalization rate) 7.6% Above median admission rate
- Fatality rate 0.01% Low fatality rate
- 5-year trend-8%
Band labels compare this category against the corpus of 838 scored CPSC product categories, see the full methodology for the exact weighting of each factor.
What the CPSC Data Shows
Across the 20-year NEISS window from 2005 to 2024, injury counts for footwear are roughly flat over the last five years, with the busiest year on record being 2024 (244,584 estimated ER visits) and the quietest 2005 (115,829 estimated visits). The single most common ER diagnosis is puncture to the foot, accounting for approximately 411,206 visits across the 20-year NEISS window, followed by other to the foot (318,182 cases). The 75+ age group absorbs the largest share of injuries, about 584,001 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 7.6% of ER visits involving this product end in hospital admission or transfer, and a small fraction (0.01%) result in fatality.
Beyond the hospital-sampled NEISS projections, this page also aggregates 1,142 consumer incident reports filed directly on SaferProducts.gov, plus 20 anonymized ER narratives - together forming a layered picture of how footwear 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 Injuries represent ER-treated cases only
Who Gets Injured?
| Age Group | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 61,352 | 57,319 | |
| 5-14 | 220,310 | 225,712 | |
| 15-24 | 211,432 | 293,202 | |
| 25-34 | 210,973 | 307,148 | |
| 35-44 | 199,862 | 259,351 | |
| 45-54 | 189,440 | 263,328 | |
| 55-64 | 168,202 | 254,030 | |
| 65-74 | 117,740 | 265,643 | |
| 75+ | 147,441 | 436,491 |
Most Common Injuries
| Body Part | Diagnosis | Est. Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| Foot | Puncture | |
| Foot | Other | |
| Ankle | Strain, Sprain | |
| Head | Internal Injury | |
| Foot | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Foot | Strain, Sprain | |
| Lower Trunk | Fracture | |
| Toe | Other | |
| Foot | Fracture | |
| Lower Trunk | Other | |
| Face | Laceration | |
| Lower Trunk | Strain, Sprain | |
| Foot | Laceration | |
| Toe | Fracture | |
| Ankle | Fracture |
Severity Breakdown
ER Visit Narratives
Real anonymized emergency room reports from the CPSC NEISS database.
10YOM PRESENTS TO ED W/ RT WRIST AND RT FOOT PAIN AFTER FALL AROUND 630 THIS EVENING. PT WAS TRYING ON NEW SHOES AND HAD FALL. SHOES WERE WHEELIES. DIDNT HIT HEAD AND DENIES PAIN ELSEWEHRE. RT GREAT TOE VERY PAINFUL. ABEL TO STAND AFTERWARDS BUT PAIN. DX: CLOSED FX DISTAL END OF RT RADIUS. CLSOED DISPLACED FX OF FIRST METATARSAL BONE RT FOOT
31YOF WAS WEARING A SHOE AND HAD HER FOOT UP AGAINST A DOOR AT A BAR AND SOMEONE KICKED THE DOOR ON THE OTHER SIDE CAUSING THE BOTTOM TO IMPACT HER FOOT CAUSING A SKIN AVULSION DX: CELLULITIS OF LEFT FOOT AND AVULSION OF SKIN OF FOOT
37YOF PATIENT REPORTS THAT 6 DAYS AGO, SHE WAS DRUNK BAL NOT COLLECTED, AND WAS BALANCING ON ONE FOOT TO TRY TO PUT A SHOE ON, FELL BACKWARDS HITTING HER HEAD AND NECK ON THE DOOR DX: CONTUSION OF NECK, CERVICAL STRAIN
70YOF WAS WALKING WHEN HER SHOE CAUGHT ON SOMETHING ON FLOOR AND SHE FELL ON OUTSTRETCHED RIGHT ARM DX:FRACTURED RIGHT RADIUS
81YOM PATIENT TRIPPED DUE TO HIS SLIPPERS AND FELL. HE HAS A KNEE ABRASION, FOREHEAD LACERATION AND NECK PAIN. DX: NECK PAIN, FALL FROM GROUND LEVEL, FOREHEAD LACERATION
68YOF SLIPPED ON A SLIPPER WHILE CLEANING OUT HER CLOSET AND FELL ONTO RIGHT SHOULDER DX SHOULDER INJURY
91 YOF PRESENTS FROM HOME AFTER A FALL. SHE WAS WEARING HER SLIPPERS, SLIPPED ON THE FLOOR AND FELL. C/O RIGHT HAND PAIN DX HAND FX, RAPID AFIB
3 YOF TRIPPED OVER SHOE FELL ONTO FLOOR DX FOOT CONTUSION
64YOM C/O LOWER BACK PAIN AND ALCOHOL INTOXICATION S/P PT STATES HE IS BLIND AND TRIPPED OVER HIS OWN SHOE AND FELL BACKWARDS ONTO HIS BACK. BAC: 0.24. DX: ALCOHOL INTOXICATION AND LOWER BACK PAIN
6YOF WAS PLAYING OUTSIDE AND WEARING SHOES WHEN SHE STEPPED ON A NAIL AND WENT INTO THE BOTTOM OF LEFT FOOT DX: PUNCTURE WOUND LEFT FOOT
68YOM, THREE DAYS AGO TRIPPED OVER OWN SHOE AND FELL BACKWARD ONTO BACK SINCE THEN WITH CHEST WALL PAIN, DX: CLOSED FRACTURE OF MULTIPLE RIBS OF LEFT SIDE
80YOF WAS LOOKING FOR HER SHOES IN THE DARK WHEN SHE FELL DX: FRACTURED RIGHT HIP
Consumer Incident Reports
Reports filed by consumers on SaferProducts.gov.
While wearing shorts for several days, I found the one of my calves was cut and bleeding every time I got up, off the floor. It took several days to realize what was happening. The eyelets, where decorative lacing wove through the shoe, had become unclinched from the leather and the eyelets, being of very thin sharp metal, cut my opposite leg as the shoe brushed against my calf. I attempted to notify the manufacturer with email and a phone call, but after weeks of communication they asked me for the same information I had previously profferred, I became frustrated and decided to notify the U.S. Consumer Protection Agency.
I purchased a pair of Teva Men's FOREBAY Sandal from Sports Academy which is an authorized dealer. in April 2019. First day on my trip in may 2019 I noticed both of my feet bleeding around the ankles. I also noticed another wound on top of my right feet. I just came back from the trip on Aug 20 2019. I not only suffered from the pains and also have three permanent scars on my feet. One of them (the one on the top of my right foot) is still in the healing process and I have seen doctors 4 times. I tried to post a review on amazon, and from what i read, many other customers also complained about this same issue although may not as serious as mine. Then I realized it is a design/manufacture defect.
While on a walk a metal piece broke through the rubber sole of my sandal and caused me to stumble and scrape my toe on pavement.
Caller is reporting that she was injured twice as a result of wearing her Skecher "shape-ups" size 6 shoes. These shoes were purchased June or July 2010. The caller was injured the first time in September 2010 when her right foot twisted, her ankle popped and fractured her foot bone and tore the tendons. She went to the doctors and was on workman's comp for a while. July 2011 she was wearing the shoes at work when the right shoe caught on carpet, she couldn't maintain balance, shoes are not flat. This incident Tore MCL on both sides of her right knee. She went to the doctor and was again on workman's comp. Caller was in Lutheran Hospital in Denver, CO for two days (overnight) for surgery. She has not contacted the manufacturer but does intend to contact them.
I suffered broken right ankle due to instability of shoes.
I purchased Rainbow Sandals' Men's Leather Double Layer with Arch Wide Strap sandals. After a few weeks of wearing the sandals, I developed contact dermatitis at the places where the leather strap comes in contact with the tops of both of my feet. The rash is painful, itchy, and feels like a chemical burn. I have never had this happen with other Rainbow sandals I've purchased. It's my understanding that many of these Rainbow products are now made in China, using different safety standards than applicable to products manufactured in the U.S.
I bought a pair of Skecher GoWalk shoes and tripped (but caught myself) several times. The last time I fell on my face by [REDACTED] and required seven stitches. I went online and discovered multiple reports of bad falls and serious injuries due to the sticky sole grabbing the pavement.
foot pain/tripping
Showing 8 of 1,142 reports.
Product Recalls
Search for active and past recalls related to footwear on the CPSC website.
Compare beyond Personal Care & Safety Products
Nationwide peers by danger score, ER volume & hospitalization
Three PlainSafety-derived comparison paths for Footwear: cross-group products nearest on danger score (46/100), estimated annual ER visits (194,476/yr), and hospitalization share (7.6%). Same-group neighbours stay in Related Products above.
Similar danger score
Nearest cross-group products by PlainSafety danger score (100-point scale).
Similar ER visit volume
Nearest cross-group products by NEISS estimated annual ER visits.
- Sofas, Couches, Davenports, Divans Or Studio Couches Home Furnishings & Fixtures 189,618/yr
- Soccer (activity, Apparel Or Equipment) Sports & Recreation Equipment 202,262/yr
- Ladders, Other Or Not Specified Floors, Walls & Ceilings 159,361/yr
- Cabinets, Racks, Room Dividers And Shelves, Nec Floors, Walls & Ceilings 149,827/yr
Similar hospitalization rate
Nearest cross-group products by % of NEISS ER visits resulting in hospital admission.
Related Products in Personal Care & Safety Products
Read with this product
About this data
CPSC National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) 2005–2024 and SaferProducts.gov consumer incident reports form the basis of this page. Injury estimates are based on a nationally representative probability sample of U.S. hospital emergency departments.
According to PlainSafety's CPSC NEISS corpus ranking, Footwear ranks #38 of 838 scored CPSC product categories by PlainSafety danger score and #15 of 838 by 20-year estimated ER injury volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does footwear rank on danger score versus ER volume?
Among 838 scored CPSC product categories, footwear ranks #38 by PlainSafety danger score (46/100) and #15 by 20-year estimated ER injury volume (194,476/yr). The two rankings come from the same NEISS extract and are not the same order.
What are the most common injuries from footwear?
The most common injury is puncture to the foot, accounting for approximately 411,206 injuries over 20 years.
Are injuries from footwear increasing or decreasing?
Stable over 5 years.
Who is most at risk for footwear injuries?
The 75+ age group accounts for the most injuries, with approximately 584,001 cases recorded over 20 years. Females are more frequently injured in this age group.
What happens when someone is injured by footwear?
Of all ER visits involving footwear, approximately 7.6% result in hospital admission. The majority of patients (92.4%) are treated and released from the emergency department.
How can I report a safety problem with footwear?
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.
PlainSafety is rendered directly from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall and incident records, no number is typed in by an editor. Product recall timelines and hazard labels are drawn from CPSC recall records for this product. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.