Saws, Not Specified
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 Communication & Entertainment · CPSC Code 845
Up 19% over 5 years
The verdict
Saws, Not Specified carry a danger score of 40/100 (moderate risk), driven by roughly 15,435 ER-treated injuries a year that are rising by about 19% over the last five years.
- 40/100
- danger score (moderate risk)
- 15,435
- ER visits per year (avg)
- 3.3%
- end in hospital admission
- 45-54
- most-injured age group
Every figure is rendered from the CPSC NEISS record for product code 845 - last data year 2024.
PlainSafety danger score
How this 40/100 score is built
The score is computed from four CPSC-derived factors for saws, not specified - no opinion, no editorializing:
- Injury volume15,435 ER visits/yr
- Severity (hospitalization rate)3.3%
- Fatality rate0.05%
- 5-year trend+19%
See the full methodology for the exact weighting of each factor.
What the CPSC Data Shows
Saws, Not Specified (CPSC product code 845, in the Home Communication & Entertainment category) generate an estimated 15,435 emergency-room visits every year in the United States, adding up to roughly 308,690 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 rising by about 19% over the last five years, with the busiest year on record being 2005 (21,547 estimated ER visits) and the quietest 2018 (12,171 estimated visits).
The single most common ER diagnosis for saws, not specified is laceration to the finger, accounting for approximately 127,800 visits across the 20-year NEISS window, followed by laceration to the hand (34,229 cases). The 45-54 age group absorbs the largest share of injuries, about 56,353 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 3.3% of ER visits involving this product end in hospital admission or transfer, and a small fraction (0.05%) result in fatality.
Beyond the hospital-sampled NEISS projections, this page also aggregates 9 consumer incident reports filed directly on SaferProducts.gov, plus 20 anonymized ER narratives - together forming a layered picture of how saws, not specified 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 | 465 | 396 | |
| 5-14 | 6,363 | 1,705 | |
| 15-24 | 32,056 | 2,254 | |
| 25-34 | 45,988 | 2,690 | |
| 35-44 | 50,869 | 3,946 | |
| 45-54 | 52,014 | 4,339 | |
| 55-64 | 47,378 | 3,184 | |
| 65-74 | 33,444 | 2,695 | |
| 75+ | 17,721 | 1,019 |
Most Common Injuries
| Body Part | Diagnosis | Est. Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| Finger | Laceration | |
| Hand | Laceration | |
| Eyeball | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Eyeball | Foreign Body | |
| Finger | Fracture | |
| Lower Arm | Laceration | |
| Finger | Avulsion | |
| Lower Leg | Laceration | |
| Upper Leg | Laceration | |
| Finger | Amputation | |
| Wrist | Laceration | |
| Face | Laceration | |
| Knee | Laceration | |
| Foot | Laceration | |
| Eyeball | Other |
Severity Breakdown
ER Visit Narratives
Real anonymized emergency room reports from the CPSC NEISS database.
39YOM COMES TO THE ER WITH A LEFT THUMB LACERATION. HE STATES HE WAS IN HIS GARAGE, USING A HOLE SAW TO CUT A PIECE OF WOOKD WHEN IT KICKED BACK AT HIM AND HIT HIM ON THE TOP OF THE LEFT THUMB, DENIES OTHER INJURY. DX: LACERATION WITHOUT FOREIGN BODY LEFT THUMB WITHOUT DAMAGE TO NAIL INITIAL
23YOM WAS USING A SAW AND ACCIDENTALLY CUT HIMSELF. LWBS. DX: HAND LACERATION
58YOF PRESENTS WITH A LACERATION TO HER LEFT MIDDLE FINGER AFTER CUTTING IT ON A SAW BLADE WHILE DOING A CROSS CUT DX: LACERATION OF LEFT MIDDLE FINGER
63YOM ACCIDENTALLY CUT SELF WITH SAW, DX FX FINGER
58YOM REPORTS WITH FINGER INJURY WHILE USING A SAW. DX OPEN FRACTURE OF FINGER.
35YOM USING A SAW AT HOME AND CUT HIS FINGER. DX LACERATION TO FINGER
53YOF WAS CUTTING PALM FRONDS AT HOME WITH A SAW WHEN SHE CUT LEFT WRIST DX:LAC TO WRIST
25YOM WAS USING A METAL SAW AND FELT SOMETHING GET INTO HIS RIGHT EYE DX: FOREIGN BODY OF CONJUNCTIVA
27YOM STATES THAT HE CUT HIS RIGHT FOOT WITH A SAW A MONTH AGO SUSTAINED A LACERATION THAT IS NOW INFECTED DX: CELLULITIS OF RIGHT FOOT
72 YOM CUTTING TREE WITH SAW WAS STRUCK BY BRANCH DX TRAUMA
42 YOM INJURY TO FINGER WITH HOLE SAW DX FINGER AVULSION
20YOM WAS SAWING WOOD WHEN A PIECE OF WOOD STRUCK HIM IN THE RIGHT EYE DX: CORNEAL ABRASION
Consumer Incident Reports
Reports filed by consumers on SaferProducts.gov.
What happened that made you want to report? - I have a small tree service. I recently purchased a Notch branded pole saw from Treestuff.com. It uses a Silky blade which are out standing. I have several Silky saws, but they recently started only selling blades and Notch is who manufacturers the pole and sells it all under their own brand name. I purchased on in May, 2023. It arrived sometime in June. My son and I were working and he was using the new Notch saw. He came to me and said he wouldn't use it anymore because the last extension with the blade popped out twice and nearly cut him. I looked the saw over and didn't see anything loose or damaged. I told him the ferrule latches had to snap into place and the cams had to be locked before using the saw. He said he had done so. So I tried it myself and whether extended or fully collapsed the same thing happened to me. The second time the last extension and blade popped out and came down on me. The razor sharp Silkey blade cut me and tor my shirt. It even ripped through my leather gloves. The only thing that saved my face was that I had my helmet on and eye protection. I notified the manufacturer (distributor). The only response is they wanted a video and if it looked like a problem they would issue a refund if I would find a box (8 feet long) and pay to return it. I will no longer use this saw. It is extremely unsafe and because of the nature of the saw, it could cause significant damage or even death. What type of product was being used? - 4373-42 20' Notch Nobasu 4 Section Telescoping Aluminum Polesaw Who was using the product(s)? - My son and I both used the saw and experienced the same results. My son has done trees for 12 years. I have 50+ years experience in arborist work. How were the product(s) being used? - Pruning trees. Were there any injuries that happened or may have happened while using the product? - Yes, cuts to my arm and shirt and gloves ruined. I could been much worse if I hadn't been usi
The consumer stated that he was sawing some 2x4s and the blade came apart. The saw blade is blackened. The consumer stated that the blade broke off and is bent. The consumer stated that he had purchased another blade before and it also did the same thing. The consumer took it to the retailer who offered him a discount on the purchase of another blade. There are no recalls on this product. The consumer stated that this blade is extremely dangerous as it could have caused harm to his hands or fingers.
Caller stated that the pole saw is made from fiberglass which deteriorates into the fan and causes it to dispersed into the air. He stated that the user breathes this in . Caller stated that this is a health hazard. Caller stated that he has been experiencing eye and breathing problems. He stated that he has seen a physician but they advised him that they are unable to help with the problem he is having. The manufacturer was not contacted because there was no contact number.
I was using my brand new DeWalt DWS779 miter saw cutting lumber in accordance with the instructions in the manual. Toward the end of one cut a plastic piece of the saw violently flew out in two pieces and sliced my left hand leaving a bleeding wound.
Caller is reporting that he experienced similar problems as recall [REDACTED] Hazard: The telescoping poles of the pole saw/pruner can separate, causing the poles to come apart and fall down and the saw blade and pruner head to drop, posing a laceration hazard. Caller stated that while someone using the unit the upper portion became loose from the lower portion because the lock mechanism did not hold causing the blade to fall down to the tree and injured the person that was using it. The manufacturer was contacted and he was informed that they did not have a recall for the 12 or 14 foot units and when he enquire they could not tell him why. Caller feels that these poles should be recalled as well due to the safety hazard they present.
This concerns the blade change on a Dewalt, 12" miter saw, model DWS779, {type 21}, I feel there is the potential to be cut with the blade, because it requires, that you have to "force it off," the arbor, and of course do the same, when installing the sharpened blade. This is not addressed in the manual, and again, their customer service e-mail service, seems more concerned about completing their survey, than addressing this issue. I'm a hobbyist woodworker and use this saw on a daily basis, the blades become dull and require that they be changed out, periodically.
Caller stated that while using the miter saw the guard touch the blade and shattered which caused serious injury to his left index finger. He stated that he went to the emergency room at Paris Regional where he was transported by ambulance to another hospital in TX for admission and emergency surgery. He was released the following day for follow up with a hand specialist. The manufacturer was contacted and they informed him that they will be reviewing his case. Caller feels that his saw is a safety hazard and should be reported.
the tooth on the blade broke off and embedded into my leg
Showing 8 of 9 reports.
Product Recalls
Search for active and past recalls related to saws, not specified on the CPSC website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How dangerous are saws, not specified?
Based on 20 years of CPSC data, saws, not specified have a danger score of 40/100 (moderate risk). An estimated 15,435 ER-treated injuries occur annually in the U.S. related to this product category.
What are the most common injuries from saws, not specified?
The most common injury is laceration to the finger, accounting for approximately 127,800 injuries over 20 years.
Are injuries from saws, not specified increasing or decreasing?
Up 19% over 5 years.
Who is most at risk for saws, not specified injuries?
The 45-54 age group accounts for the most injuries, with approximately 56,353 cases recorded over 20 years. Males are more frequently injured in this age group.
What happens when someone is injured by saws, not specified?
Of all ER visits involving saws, not specified, approximately 3.3% result in hospital admission. The majority of patients (96.7%) are treated and released from the emergency department.
How can I report a safety problem with saws, not specified?
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 Communication & Entertainment
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 45-54 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.
