Nonelectric Can Openers
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.
Containers, Tableware & Packaging · CPSC Code 401
Down 21% over 5 years
The verdict
Nonelectric Can Openers carry a danger score of 25/100 (low risk), driven by roughly 197 ER-treated injuries a year that are declining by about 21% over the last five years.
- 25/100
- danger score (low risk)
- 197
- ER visits per year (avg)
- 0.3%
- end in hospital admission
- 35-44
- most-injured age group
Every figure is rendered from the CPSC NEISS record for product code 401 - last data year 2024.
PlainSafety danger score
How this 25/100 score is built
The score is computed from four CPSC-derived factors for nonelectric can openers - no opinion, no editorializing:
- Injury volume197 ER visits/yr
- Severity (hospitalization rate)0.3%
- Fatality rate0.00%
- 5-year trend-21%
See the full methodology for the exact weighting of each factor.
What the CPSC Data Shows
Nonelectric Can Openers (CPSC product code 401, in the Containers, Tableware & Packaging category) generate an estimated 197 emergency-room visits every year in the United States, adding up to roughly 3,736 ER-treated injuries across the 20-year span from 2005 to 2024. PlainSafety derives a danger score of 25/100 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 2013 (430 estimated ER visits) and the quietest 2014 (6 estimated visits).
The single most common ER diagnosis for nonelectric can openers is laceration to the finger, accounting for approximately 1,909 visits across the 20-year NEISS window, followed by laceration to the hand (775 cases). The 35-44 age group absorbs the largest share of injuries, about 771 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 0.3% of ER visits involving this product end in hospital admission or transfer.
Beyond the hospital-sampled NEISS projections, this page also aggregates 14 consumer incident reports filed directly on SaferProducts.gov, plus 20 anonymized ER narratives - together forming a layered picture of how nonelectric can openers 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 | 98 | 16 | |
| 5-14 | 165 | 240 | |
| 15-24 | 343 | 336 | |
| 25-34 | 265 | 266 | |
| 35-44 | 224 | 547 | |
| 45-54 | 163 | 132 | |
| 55-64 | 165 | 243 | |
| 65-74 | 68 | 179 | |
| 75+ | 0 | 281 |
Most Common Injuries
| Body Part | Diagnosis | Est. Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| Finger | Laceration | |
| Hand | Laceration | |
| Wrist | Other | |
| Finger | Strain, Sprain | |
| Foot | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Head | Laceration | |
| Hand | Strain, Sprain | |
| Finger | Other | |
| Foot | Laceration | |
| Hand | Other | |
| Shoulder | Other | |
| Lower Arm | Laceration | |
| Finger | Avulsion | |
| Face | Hematoma | |
| Toe | Laceration |
Severity Breakdown
ER Visit Narratives
Real anonymized emergency room reports from the CPSC NEISS database.
41YOM REPORTS HIS OWN DOGS GOT INTO A FIGHT AND HE WAS BITTEN ON THE HAND WHILE TRYING TO SEPARATE THEM. +LACERATION. DX DOG BITE
80YOF COMES TO THE ER FOR A LACERATION. SHE REPORTS A LACERATION TO HER THUMB X 3 DAYS AGO, CAUSED FROM A MANUAL CAN OPENER. EXAM NOTES SWELLING AND ERYTHEMA SURROUNDING A 0.5 CM HEALING LACERATION TO THE DISTAL LEFT THUMB. DX: LACERATION WITHOUT FOREIGN BODY LEFT THUMB WITHOUT DAMAGE TO NAIL
49YOF CUT LEFT HAND ON A MANUAL CAN OPENER DX: LACERATION HAND
35 YOF INJURED THUMB, AFTER USING A CAN OPENER TO OPEN A CAN, ONE WEEK AGO. DX- RIGHT THUMB PAIN
21YOM WAS OPENING A CAN WITH A HAND HELD CAN OPENER AND POURING IT INTO A BOWL TO WARM UP FOR HIS GIRLFRIEND AND HE CUT HIS LEFT THUMB DX: LACERATION OF LEFT THUMB
65YOF WAS USING A MANUAL CAN OPENER WHILE OPENING A CAN OF SOUP AND CUT LEFT THUMB DX: LACERATION FINGER
56YOF WAS USING A MANUAL CAN OPENER AND FELT A POP IN RIGTH WRIST DX: WRIST PAIN
80YOF SHLDR PAIN AFTER USING MANUAL, TWIST CAN OPENER, DX: ARTHRITIS OF RIGHT SHLDR
59 YO M PT WAS USING A CAN OPENER TRYING TO OPEN A CAN OF CORN BEEF WHEN CAN OPENER BROKE PT STUCK HIS RT HAND IN CAN TRYING TO GRAB THE LID CUTTING RT HANDDX 4CM LACERATION RT HAND
32YOM OPENING A *** BOTTLE WHEN BROKE AND CUT HAND. DX: RT HAND LAC.
X 14YOM WAS OPENING A CAN AND CUT FINGER AT HOME DX FINGER LAC
67YOF-PT STATES LAST NIGHT AT HOME DROPPED A CAN OPENER ON HER RIGHT FOOT SWELLING TO TOP OF RIGHT FOOT DX: CONTUSION RIGHT FOOT
Consumer Incident Reports
Reports filed by consumers on SaferProducts.gov.
The EZ-DUZ-It Can Opener from JOHN J. STEUBY manufacturing has sharp edges that can cut fingers while operating. I have brought this to the attention of the company and have not received a timely response. This poses a serious risk to consumers and I suggest this product be subject to an immediate recall and the condition remedied prior to resale.
Can opener creates metal slivers on can lid, Which fell into the food in the can. If I had not noticed, I would have eaten a sharp piece of metal.
I have a KitchenAid multifunction manual can opener purchased from Walmart. When I use it, metal filaments are frequently stripped from the top rim of the can; and they sometimes fall into food contents of the can when I don't notice them and the can is emptied. When that happens and I inadvertently put a filament into my mouth, I taste the metal of the filament and have so far been able to find the filament and not swallow it. I have ordered another brand of can opener and will discontinue use of the KitchenAid. I don't want to swallow a metal filament that could damage my esophagus or stomach.
The consumer stated that 2 months ago he was using his can opener and while opening the can he noticed that 1/2 inch of the metal was being sheared instead of making a smooth cut. The can opener was discarded because he figured that it was too old. Approximately two and a half weeks later he purchased the same brand can opener. When he began opening another can he saw that the edges were not smooth and were very jagged. Small Sharp pieces of metal are coming off the can. (2 weeks ago) The consumer e-mailed the retailer and the brand company, he received a return email from the brand company and they informed him that they don't make the can opener and provided him the name of the manufacturer. The consumer feels that the can opener poses a safety hazard because the jagged edges may possibly fall into the contents that are in the can.
I bought a new can opener today and went to use it. The information on the package states "Easy to use manual can opener. Contoured handles distribute pressure evenly." Their statement is false and while trying to use the first time, the handle broke off and the sharp plastic almost punctured my palm. It was a Mainstays Can Opener Distributed by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Bentonville, AR 72716. Made in China. Model: MS40-041-410-5. Scanner code: 076753330756. Cost should of warned me, $1.87.
Purchased two can openers in 03/2021 (Mainstays Can Opener Kitchen Tool), went to use around 5/23/21 and both can opener handles snapped off. No permanent injuries but I did hurt hand for couple days. Luckily, the metal part did not cut into hand.
(03/25/2024) The consumer stated that slivers of metal were found in the soda after using this product to open the can.
February 24th, 2023 (contacted [REDACTED] as unknown why can opener malfunctioned): Ongoing defects.... Sloppy, careless, unprofessional, broken handle causing pain and poor workmanship. April 1st, 2023: Careless, poor quality, lazy workmanship and deplorable sales strategy. April 8th, 2023: This is my SECOND and final attempt for a full refund for product defect and ignorance of your responsibility.
Showing 8 of 14 reports.
Product Recalls
Search for active and past recalls related to nonelectric can openers on the CPSC website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How dangerous are nonelectric can openers?
Based on 20 years of CPSC data, nonelectric can openers have a danger score of 25/100 (low risk). An estimated 197 ER-treated injuries occur annually in the U.S. related to this product category.
What are the most common injuries from nonelectric can openers?
The most common injury is laceration to the finger, accounting for approximately 1,909 injuries over 20 years.
Are injuries from nonelectric can openers increasing or decreasing?
Down 21% over 5 years.
Who is most at risk for nonelectric can openers injuries?
The 35-44 age group accounts for the most injuries, with approximately 771 cases recorded over 20 years. Females are more frequently injured in this age group.
What happens when someone is injured by nonelectric can openers?
Of all ER visits involving nonelectric can openers, approximately 0.3% result in hospital admission. The majority of patients (99.7%) are treated and released from the emergency department.
How can I report a safety problem with nonelectric can openers?
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 Containers, Tableware & Packaging
Safety Guides
What this means for you
Treat the 25/100 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.
