Screwdrivers
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 828
Down 22% over 5 years
The verdict
Screwdrivers carry a danger score of 35/100 (low risk), driven by roughly 7,078 ER-treated injuries a year that are declining by about 22% over the last five years.
- 35/100
- danger score (low risk)
- 7,078
- ER visits per year (avg)
- 3.2%
- end in hospital admission
- 25-34
- most-injured age group
Every figure is rendered from the CPSC NEISS record for product code 828 - last data year 2024.
PlainSafety danger score
How this 35/100 score is built
The score is computed from four CPSC-derived factors for screwdrivers - no opinion, no editorializing:
- Injury volume7,078 ER visits/yr
- Severity (hospitalization rate)3.2%
- Fatality rate0.00%
- 5-year trend-22%
See the full methodology for the exact weighting of each factor.
What the CPSC Data Shows
Screwdrivers (CPSC product code 828, in the Home Communication & Entertainment category) generate an estimated 7,078 emergency-room visits every year in the United States, adding up to roughly 141,565 ER-treated injuries across the 20-year span from 2005 to 2024. PlainSafety derives a danger score of 35/100 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 22% over the last five years, with the busiest year on record being 2006 (10,476 estimated ER visits) and the quietest 2021 (4,621 estimated visits).
The single most common ER diagnosis for screwdrivers is puncture to the hand, accounting for approximately 37,319 visits across the 20-year NEISS window, followed by laceration to the hand (16,596 cases). The 25-34 age group absorbs the largest share of injuries, about 28,321 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 3.2% 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 screwdrivers 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 | 3,905 | 1,982 | |
| 5-14 | 5,585 | 1,907 | |
| 15-24 | 14,152 | 2,731 | |
| 25-34 | 24,287 | 4,034 | |
| 35-44 | 23,694 | 4,571 | |
| 45-54 | 19,115 | 4,677 | |
| 55-64 | 14,182 | 2,650 | |
| 65-74 | 7,340 | 1,426 | |
| 75+ | 4,142 | 1,162 |
Most Common Injuries
| Body Part | Diagnosis | Est. Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| Hand | Puncture | |
| Hand | Laceration | |
| Finger | Laceration | |
| Finger | Puncture | |
| Eyeball | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Face | Laceration | |
| Hand | Other | |
| Finger | Other | |
| Internal | Ingestion | |
| Face | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Eyeball | Other | |
| Lower Arm | Laceration | |
| Foot | Puncture | |
| Finger | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Mouth | Laceration |
Severity Breakdown
ER Visit Narratives
Real anonymized emergency room reports from the CPSC NEISS database.
40YOM FOR EVAL OF L HAND WOUND. REPORTS 2 DAYS AGO WHEN HE WAS USING A ***S HEAD SCREWDRIVER TO ATTEMPT TO GET A SCREW OUT OF FAUCET, THE SCREW WAS STRIPPED & DRIVER SLIPPED & PUNCTURED INTO BASE OF LEFT THUMB. OCCURRED AT HOME. DX: PUNCTURE WOUND OF LEFT HAND
16YOM PUTTING THE GAS CHAMBER INTO HIS BB GUN, USING A SCREWDRIVER, AND CUT HAND WITH THE SCREW DRIVER. DX: HAND LACERATION
59 YOM SUSTAINED A PUNCTURE WOUND TO LT HAND, OCCURRED WHILE USING A SCREWDRIVER. DX: PUNTURE WOUND OF HAND
66YOM C/O RIGHT ELBOW PAIN HAS BEEN HELPING A FAMILY MEMBER WORK ON A HOUSE AND HAS BEEN USING AN ELECTRIC SCREWDRIVER A LOT. DX: RIGHT ELBOW PAIN
42YOM CHIPPING AWAY AT SOMETHING WITH A FLATHEAD SCREWDRIVER AND SCREWDRIVER SLIPPED HITTING LEGDX PUNCTURE WOUND L LOWER LEG
71YOM C/O RIGHT HAND INJURY. WAS ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE A TIRE WHE HE WAS USING A SCREDRIVER TO REMOVE A LUG NUTE. PUT THE SCREDRIVER THROUGH HIS HAND. PUNCTURE WOUND THROUGH HIS RIGHT THUMB AND MIDDLE FINGER. DX: LACERATION OF RIGHT HAND WITHOUT FOREIGN BODY
17YOF PATIENT WAS USING A SCREWDRIVER TO REPLACE THE SIDE OF HER GLASSES, IT SLIPPED, CUTTING HER FINGER DX: LACERATION OF LEFT INDEX FINGER WITHOUT FOREIGN BODY WITHOUT DAMAGE TO NAIL
54 YOM. FACIAL INJURY AFTER AFTER PT WAS TRYING TO SCREW A WOODEN BLOCK ONTO THE CEILING & THE SCREWDRIVER FELL & HIT HIM IN THE NOSE. DX: CLOSED FX OF NASAL BONE
2 YOM SWALLOWED THE DETACHABLE PIECE OF A MAGNETIC SCREWDRIVER. DX: SWALLOWED FOREIGN BODY
40YOM WITH PUNCTURE WOUND TO HAND FROM SCREWDRIVER DX: PW TO HAND
53YOM WAS TRYING TO GET STUFF OUT OF HIS EAR USING A SCREWDRIVER WHEN IT WENT IN TOO FAR DX: PERFORATION OF RIGHT TYMPANIC MEMBRANE
36YOM WAS USING A SCREWDRIVER WHEN HE ACCIDENTALLY WENT INTO LEFT HAND DX: PUNCTURE WOUND TO HAND
Consumer Incident Reports
Reports filed by consumers on SaferProducts.gov.
The consumer opened the product and noticed right away that they were oily and had a really strong smell. He washed them and then noticed a tingly numbing sensation around his hands and fingers. After three cleanings and two degreasings the smell was still a problem. He sent the product back to the retailer for a refund. His wife experienced a headache while on the screen porch, and said that she had to go back into the house.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08388.html This driver was plugged in and charging from 9PM until we were awoken at 1:42AM by crackling, sizzling, smoke and smoke alarm ringing due to the driver being on fire, burning the kitchen counter and upper cupboards, which ignited papers, loaf of bread, and bag of chips with smoke filling the kitchen and foyer of our home. Sparks dropped to our hardwood flooring causing burn marks in the flooring. The ceiling and walls have smoke residue. the driver and cord/plug itself were all on fire. The driver case that was near the driver also caught fire. This was a very frightening experience and we count our blessings that we are here today to provide these details.
Caller stated that the electric screw driver metal tip that goes to the end of the screw driver, which is touching the user's hand causes electrocution. He stated that he informed the store he purchased them from about the problem. Caller stated that he returned the product and received a refund. Caller is concerned that these screw driver are unsafe and should be reported. This screwdriver does have wiring printed on the handel. Black on black and so small you can hardly read it. So stated: 1) warning: Always use approved eye protection - Do not use to PRY or Chisel with - if you can not use it to chisel with then why is it made the way it is, with the metal sticking out of the end. Also, causing electrical shock when around it - 2) Warning: not insulated - will not protect against electrical shock -Then once again why is the 1/4" and 5/16" screwdriver made in the way it will get you shocked - None of the rest of the drivers they have are made in this fashion - Can't Pryor Chisel - May cause electrical shock - What good is it - Someone puts it in there tool bag, there's always a chance of injury - Hit 220 volt and see what happen - [REDACTED]
Three different screw drivers broke, while being used, within the last month. All 3 were made by this same manufacturer and purchased from the same dealer and everyone of them broke in the same fashion. The tip of each screw driver broke, while tightening screws. The caller does electrical work and pointed out that someone could be seriously hurt, while using them. 7/30/2022: He sent the firm an email and the next day, he received a reply from them, requesting pictures and the screw driver. He will not send it to them, but will retain it in case CPSC wants to examine it. Hes been using this manufacturers brand for 30 years and has never experienced this problem before. The previous 2 screw drivers were purchased from the same dealer and each time he returned them, they exchanged them, because of the life-time warranty. There were no injuries, but the potential is definitely present.
COMPLAINT INFORMATION: Purchased this item made by Trisonic. Upon opening it, the item emitted a foul-smelling chemical odor. It was so strong it started to burn my throat after about 60 seconds. Would it be possible for the Division of Consumer Protection to test it for toxic substances, i.e. benzene toluene, etc.? It was made in China where consumer protection for manufactured items is non-existent. RESOLUTION SOUGHT: Test item for toxic contaminants. If contaminants are found, perhaps the item could be pulled from retail stores so as to protect the health of consumers.
Product Recalls
Search for active and past recalls related to screwdrivers on the CPSC website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How dangerous are screwdrivers?
Based on 20 years of CPSC data, screwdrivers have a danger score of 35/100 (low risk). An estimated 7,078 ER-treated injuries occur annually in the U.S. related to this product category.
What are the most common injuries from screwdrivers?
The most common injury is puncture to the hand, accounting for approximately 37,319 injuries over 20 years.
Are injuries from screwdrivers increasing or decreasing?
Down 22% over 5 years.
Who is most at risk for screwdrivers injuries?
The 25-34 age group accounts for the most injuries, with approximately 28,321 cases recorded over 20 years. Males are more frequently injured in this age group.
What happens when someone is injured by screwdrivers?
Of all ER visits involving screwdrivers, approximately 3.2% result in hospital admission. The majority of patients (96.8%) are treated and released from the emergency department.
How can I report a safety problem with screwdrivers?
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 35/100 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 25-34 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.
