Microwave Ovens
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 264
Stable over 5 years
The verdict
Microwave Ovens carry a danger score of 40/100 (moderate risk), driven by roughly 10,470 ER-treated injuries a year that are roughly flat over the last five years.
- 40/100
- danger score (moderate risk)
- 10,470
- ER visits per year (avg)
- 7.9%
- end in hospital admission
- 5-14
- most-injured age group
Every figure is rendered from the CPSC NEISS record for product code 264 - last data year 2024.
PlainSafety danger score
How this 40/100 score is built
The score is computed from four CPSC-derived factors for microwave ovens - no opinion, no editorializing:
- Injury volume10,470 ER visits/yr
- Severity (hospitalization rate)7.9%
- Fatality rate0.00%
- 5-year trend+2%
See the full methodology for the exact weighting of each factor.
What the CPSC Data Shows
Microwave Ovens (CPSC product code 264, in the Kitchen Cooking Appliances category) generate an estimated 10,470 emergency-room visits every year in the United States, adding up to roughly 209,409 ER-treated injuries across the 20-year span from 2005 to 2024. PlainSafety derives a danger score of 40/100 for this category (moderate risk), combining raw injury volume, demographic reach, severity of outcome, and multi-year trend. The five-year trajectory shows that injury counts are roughly flat over the last five years, with the busiest year on record being 2024 (13,751 estimated ER visits) and the quietest 2007 (8,090 estimated visits).
The single most common ER diagnosis for microwave ovens is burn, scald to the hand, accounting for approximately 19,377 visits across the 20-year NEISS window, followed by burn, scald to the upper trunk (18,566 cases). The 5-14 age group absorbs the largest share of injuries, about 49,359 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 7.9% of ER visits involving this product end in hospital admission or transfer.
Beyond the hospital-sampled NEISS projections, this page also aggregates 1,824 consumer incident reports filed directly on SaferProducts.gov, plus 20 anonymized ER narratives - together forming a layered picture of how microwave ovens 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 | 15,562 | 12,780 | |
| 5-14 | 21,824 | 27,535 | |
| 15-24 | 7,444 | 13,228 | |
| 25-34 | 8,664 | 13,134 | |
| 35-44 | 9,445 | 12,672 | |
| 45-54 | 7,446 | 11,411 | |
| 55-64 | 6,175 | 11,679 | |
| 65-74 | 4,839 | 8,282 | |
| 75+ | 6,515 | 10,721 |
Most Common Injuries
| Body Part | Diagnosis | Est. Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| Hand | Burn, Scald | |
| Upper Trunk | Burn, Scald | |
| Face | Burn, Scald | |
| Lower Trunk | Burn, Scald | |
| Upper Leg | Burn, Scald | |
| Lower Arm | Burn, Scald | |
| Finger | Laceration | |
| Hand | Burns, Thermal | |
| Head | Internal Injury | |
| Finger | Burns, Thermal | |
| Finger | Burn, Scald | |
| Foot | Burn, Scald | |
| Hand | Laceration | |
| All Parts Body | Anoxia | |
| Lower Trunk | Strain, Sprain |
Severity Breakdown
ER Visit Narratives
Real anonymized emergency room reports from the CPSC NEISS database.
43YOM ACCIDENTLY STRUCK RIGHT HAND ON A MICROWAVE PRIOR TO ARRIVAL SUSTAINED A LACERATION TO RIGHT THUMB DX: LACERATION TO RIGHT THUMB
60 YOM WAS REMOVING HOT SOUP FROM THE MICROWAVE TODAY WHEN IT SPILLED ON HIS RIGHT ANTERIOR MEDIAL THIGH. DX: PARTIAL THICKNESS BURN OF RIGHT THIGH.
73 YOM PRESENTS CONCERNS FOR LEFT LARYNGEAL BURN IN THE SETTING OF EATING MICROWAVED HOT SWEET POTATOES LAST NIGHT. DX: NO DX.
30YOF WITH FOOT PAIN AFTER MICROWAVE OVEN FELL ON HER FOOT WHILE MAKING A BOTTLE FOR HER BABY . PT ALSO HAS PARESTHESIA OF TOES AND KNEE PAIN DX: ACUTE PAIN OF RIGHT FOOT
3YOF WITH FINGER AND HAND LAC AFTER INJURING HERSELF WITH GLASS PIECES FROM MICROWAVE PLATE. DX: FINGER LAC
37YOF PT C/O RT SHOULDER PAIN AFTER PT PUT SOMETHING IN MICROWAVE, PAIN IS SHARP IN NATURE NO DX
16 YOF WAS HEATING *** ***IN THE MICROWAVE FOR HER GRANDMOTHER, ATTEMPTED TO STIR IT AND IT POPPED INTO HER FACE. DX: LEFT PERIORBITAL FACIAL BURNS
10YOF WAS GETTING A CUP OF RAMEN NOODLES OUT OF THE MICROWAVE OVEN AND THE HOT WATER SPILLED ONTO LEFT THIGH DX: SCALED BURN THIGH
40 YOF WAS MICROWAVING SOUP. SHE GRABBED THE MUG AND BURNED HER LEFT HAND. DX LEFT HAND BURN
33YOM WAS COOKING SOUP IN A MICROWAVE OVEN WHEN THE SOUP SPLATTERED OVER LEFT HAND DX: SCALD BURN TO HAND
80YOF WITH BACK PAIN AFTER LIFTING MICROWAVE OVEN DX: LUMBAR STRAIN
94YOM WAS CLEANING HIS MICROWAVE OVEN WHEN HE BECAME DIZZY AND HI PASSED OUT AND FELL DX: LOW BACK PAIN, SYNCOPE
Consumer Incident Reports
Reports filed by consumers on SaferProducts.gov.
When starting microwave, set to auto reheat and when pressed start, a loud noise happened and was shocked while touching front panel START.
I was at home last night watching TV and the microwave turned itself on. It ran for 1 minute then turned itself off. Several minutes later it turned itself back on for a minute. The control panel was frozen and I couldn't turn the oven off. This continued to happen until I climbed up to the upper cabinet and unplugged the unit. The oven was very hot. I can't imagine what would have happened if I wasn't at home or was sleeping. This was very alarming. I had just gotten back from a 2 week out of town trip. If this had happened while I was away there could have been a fire. I'm older and don't have anyone else using the microwave so it is gently used and is less than 5 years old. JVM1740SM1SS SS 901084B
I opened my LG microwave (Model LMV1813ST) to find the inside of the unit melted and melted plastic hanging down from the top of the inside. I have since unplugged the unit and emailed LG. The unit was manufactured on May 2013 and is Serial Number 30STATG6E169
The consumer indicates that she was in her living when she heard a noise coming from her kitchen. When she went to check, she noticed her microwave had started on its own. The consumer indicates that it took her approximately one minute for the unit to understand the CANCEL command as every time she pressed said button an F2 prompt would be displayed. Approximately eight hours later, the unit turned itself on again. This time it would not shut off at all when the consumer pressed the CANCEL button so she had to unplug the unit. The consumer states that she seldom uses her microwave, approximately once every three months, as she possesses another unit that she uses mostly. The consumer does not know if she will have the microwave in the next thirty days since she plans on replacing it but is unsure when.
I purchased a GE "Sensor Microwave Oven" on 4/10/2011 to replace my 7 yr. old microwave (which still worked but not the carrousel). My husband was died of cancer so the microwave was only used for occasionally reheating foods or veggies and melting chocolate/butter, etc. Last evening I suddenly heard beeping & checked - my microwave was beeping & the digital readout said "keypad was shorted out". (Note: I had not used the micro for 2-1/2 days - IT WAS SITTING IDLE!) I opened the door and the insides were SCALDING HOT and smelled HOT too (a fire hazard in the making - thank goodness I was @ home!)! I tried working the keypad but nothing worked so I unplugged it. After leaving it cool down I plugged it in again & it told me to "set the clock", I did and it seemed ok (I was still hesitant). Within 2 minutes, while I was standing there, it SUDDENLY STARTED on it's own! Again, none of the keypad buttons worked so I unplugged it and it is STILL UNPLUGGED! I will not use this appliance again. I sent an electronic email to GE on their www.geappliances.com/service_and_support/contact/form_concern.htm last evening. I received an auto-reply: "Thank you for contacting us through www.geappliances.com. We have received your eMail on 9/7/2011 at 09:50:00 PM EST. We regret to inform you that we are currently experiencing longer than usual response times. A Consumer Specialist will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible. Sincerely, The Consumer e-Response Team GE Appliances" (they gave me a "reference number [REDACTED]). I've searched the internet & find there ARE OTHER REFERENCES to people having the same problem with micro beeping suddenly, for no reason. The micro is only 1 yr. and just under 5 mos. old + not used that often & NEVER used to cook a full meal (or frozen dinner either). This is A FIRE HAZARD - thank goodness I was @ home!
The consumer has a safety concern with the way the product is manufactured with a plastic plate on the bottom instead of a stainless steel plate. (08/09/2022)The consumer stated there was a mixture of oil and frozen vegetables on the stove which is right under the microwave. The mixture caught on fire and the flames hit the bottom of the microwave which is plastic. This cause everything near and around the microwave to burn causing about $50,000 worth of damage to the consumer's home. The consumer stated when he was checking to buy a new over the range microwave oven, he noticed that some of them did have stainless steel plates instead of plastic. He is wondering why not all of them.
On September 7, 2016, I came home after being out for a few hours and found my microwave running. I think I saw the numbers 3:40 on the screen. The microwave smelled bad, like the smell of burning. I had not turned the microwave on, and no one else lives in my home. I unplugged it and looked inside and looked light gray inside. I tried plugging it back in and tried setting the clock, but nothing worked. I unplugged it again and left the door open. It is a Samsung microwave oven, MW1245WB/WC/BB/BC/SC.
LG microwave model number LCS1112SW turned on spontaneously. Burned food to a blackened mess. Owner alerted to problem by house smoke detector. Unit shut off after malfunction Burning contained within unit
Showing 8 of 1,824 reports.
Product Recalls
Search for active and past recalls related to microwave ovens on the CPSC website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How dangerous are microwave ovens?
Based on 20 years of CPSC data, microwave ovens have a danger score of 40/100 (moderate risk). An estimated 10,470 ER-treated injuries occur annually in the U.S. related to this product category.
What are the most common injuries from microwave ovens?
The most common injury is burn, scald to the hand, accounting for approximately 19,377 injuries over 20 years.
Are injuries from microwave ovens increasing or decreasing?
Stable over 5 years.
Who is most at risk for microwave ovens injuries?
The 5-14 age group accounts for the most injuries, with approximately 49,359 cases recorded over 20 years. Females are more frequently injured in this age group.
What happens when someone is injured by microwave ovens?
Of all ER visits involving microwave ovens, approximately 7.9% result in hospital admission. The majority of patients (92.1%) are treated and released from the emergency department.
How can I report a safety problem with microwave ovens?
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 Kitchen Cooking Appliances
Safety Guides
What this means for you
Treat the 40/100 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 5-14 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.
