Furniture Polishes Or Waxes
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.
Home Workshop Tools & Equipment · CPSC Code 905
Down 21% over 5 years
The verdict
Furniture Polishes Or Waxes carry a danger score of 29/100 (low risk), driven by roughly 317 ER-treated injuries a year that are declining by about 21% over the last five years.
- 29/100
- danger score (low risk)
- 317
- ER visits per year (avg)
- 5.5%
- end in hospital admission
- 0-4
- most-injured age group
Every figure is rendered from the CPSC NEISS record for product code 905 - last data year 2024.
PlainSafety danger score
How this 29/100 score is built
The score is computed from four CPSC-derived factors for furniture polishes or waxes - no opinion, no editorializing:
- Injury volume317 ER visits/yr
- Severity (hospitalization rate)5.5%
- Fatality rate0.00%
- 5-year trend-21%
See the full methodology for the exact weighting of each factor.
What the CPSC Data Shows
Furniture Polishes Or Waxes (CPSC product code 905, in the Home Workshop Tools & Equipment category) generate an estimated 317 emergency-room visits every year in the United States, adding up to roughly 6,347 ER-treated injuries across the 20-year span from 2005 to 2024. PlainSafety derives a danger score of 29/100 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 21% over the last five years, with the busiest year on record being 2008 (699 estimated ER visits) and the quietest 2019 (71 estimated visits).
The single most common ER diagnosis for furniture polishes or waxes is poisoning to the all parts body, accounting for approximately 2,868 visits across the 20-year NEISS window, followed by contusions, abr. to the lower trunk (238 cases). The 0-4 age group absorbs the largest share of injuries, about 2,728 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 5.5% of ER visits involving this product end in hospital admission or transfer.
Beyond the hospital-sampled NEISS projections, this page also aggregates 5 consumer incident reports filed directly on SaferProducts.gov, plus 20 anonymized ER narratives - together forming a layered picture of how furniture polishes or waxes 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 | 1,773 | 955 | |
| 5-14 | 113 | 20 | |
| 15-24 | 276 | 198 | |
| 25-34 | 224 | 555 | |
| 35-44 | 97 | 305 | |
| 45-54 | 55 | 262 | |
| 55-64 | 196 | 266 | |
| 65-74 | 70 | 597 | |
| 75+ | 0 | 386 |
Most Common Injuries
| Body Part | Diagnosis | Est. Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| All Parts Body | Poisoning | |
| Lower Trunk | Contusions, Abr. | |
| All Parts Body | Derma/conjunct | |
| Eyeball | Other | |
| Finger | Foreign Body | |
| Foot | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Eyeball | Burn, Chemical | |
| Lower Trunk | Fracture | |
| Knee | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Lower Trunk | Nerve Damage | |
| Face | Other | |
| Eyeball | Foreign Body | |
| Head | Internal Injury | |
| Face | Burns, Thermal | |
| Ankle | Other |
Severity Breakdown
ER Visit Narratives
Real anonymized emergency room reports from the CPSC NEISS database.
56 YOM WITH SPLINTER IN FINGER FROM FURNITURE DX: FB
25YOF C/O FALL. SWELLING, ECCHYMOSIS, AND TENDERNESS TO LEFT KNEE. SLIPPED AND FELL DUE TO FURNITURE POLISH ON THE FLOOR. PAINFUL TO BEAR WEIGHT. ABRASION AND CONTUSION TO LEFT LEG. RADIOGRAPH IS NORMAL EXAM. DX: PAIN IN LEFT KNEE
45YOF C/O HIP/THIGH PROBLEM. PATIENT REPORTS MOVING FURNITURE LAST NIGHT AND TODAY. RIGHT HIP/BACK HURTING. DX: LUMBAGO WITH SCIATICA
51YOM THUMB PAIN X 1 DAY. PATIENT REPORTS MOVING FURNITURE WHEN A PIECE DROPPED ON HIS THUMB. DX: INJURY OF RT THUMB
71YOM PRESENTING AFTER SYNCOPAL EPISODE. PER WIFE THE PATIENT OFTEN FEELS TIRED AND WILL HAVE EPISODES OF FEELING GENERALLY WEAK THEN SYNCOPIZE. HAS NEVER BEEN WORKED UP FOR THESE SYNCOPAL EPISODES BEFORE. TODAY HAD THE SAME WHERE HE FELT WEAK, PASSED OUT, AND HIT HIS HEAD ON A PIECE OF FURNITURE SUSTAINED A 2INCH LACERATION TO THE FOREHEAD.DX; LACERATION OF FOREHEAD
14MOM PRESENTS FOR EVALUATION AFTER INGESTING A SMALL AMOUNT OF *** WOOD CLEANER AT APROX. 12PM. PATIENT FATHER STATES PATIENT INGESTED ABOUT A CAP FULL OF THE CLEANER, SHORTLY AFTER HAD SOME VOMITING AND NOW HAS SOME DROOLING. DX;INGESTION OF CAUSTIC SUBSTANCE
69YOM PRESENTS AFTER A SYNCOPAL EPISODE WITH FALL AT HOME WITH HEAD STRIKE ON FURNITURE. COMPLAINS OF ABRASION TO HEAD AND ELBOW. DX: FALL, FRACTURE OF HIP
67YOF REPORTS SHE HAD A FALL IN KITCHEN THIS MORNING DUE TO LEGS GIVING OUT. STATES SHE FELL ON BUTTOCKS AND BUMPED HEAD ON FURNITURE. UPPER/ LOWER BACK AND NECK PAIN. DX: SYNCOPE
22MOM GOT AHOLD OF A BOTTLE OF *** WOOD STAIN. MOM NOTES THE CAP WAS ON THE BOTTLE BUT THERE WAS PRODUCT ON HIS MOUTH, UNKNOWN INGESTION AMOUNT DX: ACCIDENTAL INGESTION OF SUBSTANCE
14MOF. PT WAS VISTING GRANDPARENTS HOME FOUND WITH BOTTLE OF *** WITH CONDITIONER CLEANER 99% MINERAL OIL PT WITH EPOSIDE OF CHOKING. DX: ACCIDENTAL HYDROCARBON INGESTION.
9YOM HAD AN INGESTION OF HYDROCARBON. PATIENT DRANK ABOUT HALF OF AN 8 OUNCE BOTTLE OF *** WOOD CLEANING SOLUTION.
87 YOF WAS PUTTING A POLISH ON FURNITURE WHEN SHE DEVELOPED INTRACTABLE COUGHING, MD SUSPECTS CHEMICAL PNEUMONITIS. DX: INHALATION INJURY
Consumer Incident Reports
Reports filed by consumers on SaferProducts.gov.
We bought Pledge's Moisturizing Oil (wood polish) to polish some furniture. We've used Pledge Lemon cleaner/polish over the years, but thought we'd try this product to protect our furniture. This product is in an aerosol spray can. The spray is so noxious that can make you gag and feel sick. I always used gloves with any cleaning or chemical product and that was a good thing. But I never thought I would need to wear a mask. But even a mask wouldn't stop to noxious odor. We had to move both pieces of furniture to the garage to dry and air out for two days. That helped some. But the solid wood stand (we use for our printers) here in our home office is now right next to me and the odor still lingers. It isn't a pleasant smell either. Very chemical smelling. I can only imagine what this chemical will do to lungs, nasal airways, throat. and eyes.
The submitter used the product on her cabinet and shortly after she noticed a strange odor. The following day she said the odor filled the room and she had a skin and eye irritation. She believes the product is not safe and should be recalled.
(04/02/2016) The consumer stated that she used the product in her bedroom on the furniture. Later on in the night , the smell was really bad. The consumer stated that her nose, chest and skin was burning. The consumer 911. They sent the fire department out who came in to check the smell. The consumer went in to see her doctor on 4/5. The consumer was advised not to use the product anymore. Injury information: Injury, Seen by Medical Professional yes more than once & EKG run also This product should not be allowed in our country. Sad when we have NO Real Protection for the greed of those that bring such TOXINS to our Country. Time for real change NOW! Since the first & only time the consume has ever used this product she has removed most furniture out of room, thrown out all her bedding & comforter, & pillows as they smelled awful - Chemical like threat burning scent that had taken control of the furniture & her cloth items (clothing). Awful experience. And so needless to happen - please stop these criminals from bring such harmful toxins in the USA. Thank you. P.S. All clothing the consumer has have been washed several times & yet - it still remains. P.S. In addition the consumer's hands have been red & hurtful & was at the doctors yesterday as it is not getting better - thus far. She has polished furniture since she was 5 years old & NEVER - has this, or anything like this taken place!
The purpose of this email is to advise you of a very serious condition for which I have become acquainted with as to violations of the US consumer product safety commission rules and regulations and I would kindly ask that you investigate the injury that I am giving the facts in the paragraphs below. Occupational Safety and Health Services Inc. [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Injured: [REDACTED] Date of Purchase: 8/18/13 Date of Injury: 9/26/13 Sales Order No.: [REDACTED] [REDACTED] was supplied with the product identified as Crypton Furniture Care at the Levin furniture company, 5280 Route 30, Greensburg, Pennsylvania, 15601 at the time of her purchase of some furniture. Ms. [REDACTED] utilized the Crypton Furniture Care and suffered serious pulmonary injuries. The manufacturer, of the Crypton Furniture care product is who I understand to be RPM Wood Finishes Group, Inc. of Hickory, North Carolina. Please have someone from your staff please contact me to discuss this matter. Very truly yours, [REDACTED]
Unknown substances associated with polishing and cleaning collectible trading cards are being sold to consumers with no warnings, active ingredients, or net weight declared on the label of the product. Online product pictures and descriptions do not detail any consumer safety information, or regulated commerce required labeling pertaining to active ingredients, warnings, or net weight. No injuries have been reported yet.
Product Recalls
Search for active and past recalls related to furniture polishes or waxes on the CPSC website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How dangerous are furniture polishes or waxes?
Based on 20 years of CPSC data, furniture polishes or waxes have a danger score of 29/100 (low risk). An estimated 317 ER-treated injuries occur annually in the U.S. related to this product category.
What are the most common injuries from furniture polishes or waxes?
The most common injury is poisoning to the all parts body, accounting for approximately 2,868 injuries over 20 years.
Are injuries from furniture polishes or waxes increasing or decreasing?
Down 21% over 5 years.
Who is most at risk for furniture polishes or waxes injuries?
The 0-4 age group accounts for the most injuries, with approximately 2,728 cases recorded over 20 years. Males are more frequently injured in this age group.
What happens when someone is injured by furniture polishes or waxes?
Of all ER visits involving furniture polishes or waxes, approximately 5.5% result in hospital admission. The majority of patients (94.5%) are treated and released from the emergency department.
How can I report a safety problem with furniture polishes or waxes?
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 Home Workshop Tools & Equipment
Safety Guides
What this means for you
Treat the 29/100 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 0-4 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.