Vacuum Cleaners
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.
Laundry & Household Appliances · CPSC Code 115
Down 18% over 5 years
The verdict
Vacuum Cleaners carry a danger score of 40/100 (moderate risk), driven by roughly 18,819 ER-treated injuries a year that are declining by about 18% over the last five years.
- 40/100
- danger score (moderate risk)
- 18,819
- ER visits per year (avg)
- 8.2%
- end in hospital admission
- 75+
- most-injured age group
Every figure is rendered from the CPSC NEISS record for product code 115 - last data year 2024.
PlainSafety danger score
How this 40/100 score is built
The score is computed from four CPSC-derived factors for vacuum cleaners - no opinion, no editorializing:
- Injury volume18,819 ER visits/yr
- Severity (hospitalization rate)8.2%
- Fatality rate0.00%
- 5-year trend-18%
See the full methodology for the exact weighting of each factor.
What the CPSC Data Shows
Vacuum Cleaners (CPSC product code 115, in the Laundry & Household Appliances category) generate an estimated 18,819 emergency-room visits every year in the United States, adding up to roughly 376,376 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 declining by about 18% over the last five years, with the busiest year on record being 2012 (22,605 estimated ER visits) and the quietest 2020 (14,548 estimated visits).
The single most common ER diagnosis for vacuum cleaners is strain, sprain to the lower trunk, accounting for approximately 31,223 visits across the 20-year NEISS window, followed by other to the lower trunk (23,823 cases). The 75+ age group absorbs the largest share of injuries, about 66,165 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 8.2% of ER visits involving this product end in hospital admission or transfer.
Beyond the hospital-sampled NEISS projections, this page also aggregates 376 consumer incident reports filed directly on SaferProducts.gov, plus 20 anonymized ER narratives - together forming a layered picture of how vacuum cleaners 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 | 15,046 | 8,507 | |
| 5-14 | 8,418 | 8,764 | |
| 15-24 | 5,340 | 15,320 | |
| 25-34 | 9,489 | 27,849 | |
| 35-44 | 12,661 | 34,623 | |
| 45-54 | 13,193 | 39,750 | |
| 55-64 | 12,364 | 46,543 | |
| 65-74 | 12,132 | 40,133 | |
| 75+ | 13,782 | 52,383 |
Most Common Injuries
| Body Part | Diagnosis | Est. Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Trunk | Strain, Sprain | |
| Lower Trunk | Other | |
| Upper Trunk | Other | |
| Head | Internal Injury | |
| Toe | Fracture | |
| Face | Laceration | |
| Foot | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Lower Trunk | Fracture | |
| Head | Laceration | |
| Shoulder | Strain, Sprain | |
| Toe | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Finger | Laceration | |
| Upper Trunk | Strain, Sprain | |
| Upper Trunk | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Lower Trunk | Nerve Damage |
Severity Breakdown
ER Visit Narratives
Real anonymized emergency room reports from the CPSC NEISS database.
74YOM WAS FIXING A VACUUM & FINGER GOT STUCK IN THE ROLLER, LACERATION TO L MIDDLE FINGER AND SKIN TEAR TO BACK OF L HAND DX SKIN TEAR OF UPPER EXT
21 YOF C/O SHOULDER PAIN AFTER PUSHING A VACCUM ABOUT 15 MIN PRIOR TO ARRIVAL. DX: SHOULDER DISLOCATION
69YOF COMPLAINS OF SKIN TEAR TO LEFT LOWER LEG. SHE WAS USING A VACUUM AND SOME HOW IT FELL ACROSS HER LEG CAUSING THE LACERATION. DX: SKIN TEAR OF LOWER LEG
85YOF WAS LEANING FORWARD TO PICK UP A ROBOTIC VACUUM OFF THE FLOOR, LOST HER BALANCE AND FELL FORWARD HITTING THE LEFT SIDE OF HER FOREHEAD ON A WOODEN CHEST. NO LOC. DURING A NEUROLOGY VISIT, THEY RECOMMENDED TO GO TO ER SINCE SHE HAD LEFT FOREHEAD ECCHYMOSIS AND RACOON EYES. IS ON ***. DX: HEAD INJURY, ECCYMOSIS
35 YOM TAKES *** AND GLARGINE ***, SAYS HE WAS HYPOGLYCEMIC A WEEK AGO AND FELL ONTO HIS VACUUM CLEANER CAUSING WOUNDS ON LEG. FSBS 200S THIS MORNING. DX: SEPSIS, CELLULITIS IN DIABETIC FOOT
76 YOM ON *** FOR HISTORY OF PE JUST FINISHED VACUUMING LAST NIGHT WHEN THE AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC CORD COILING DEVICE FLUNG THE PLUG AGAINST THE TOP OF THE EAR WITH CONSTANT BLEEDING. HE APPLIED PRESSURE FOR 2 HOURS BEFORE BLEEDING STOPPED. DX: LACERATION OF HELIX OF RIGHT EAR.
88YOM WAS VACUUMING WHEN HE TRIPPED OVER THE CORD AND FELL TO FLOOR ONTO RIGHT HIP DX: HIP FRACTURE
67YOM STATES THAT HE WAS VACUUMING THIS MORNING WHEN HE DEVELOPED A SUDDEN SHARP PAIN IN HIS CHEST THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY DX: ACUTE CHEST PAIN
7 MOF CUT NOSE WITH VACUUM HOSE. DX NOSE ABRASION
67YOF WAS VACUUMING AND DUSTING HER HOUSE NOW HE'S HAVING PAIN IN LOWER BACK DX: RIGHT SIDED SCIATICA
72YOF WAS VACUUMING AT HOME AND STARTED HAVING CHEST PAIN DX: CHEST PAIN
78YOM PRESENTS TO ED AFTER MECHANICAL FALL AT HOME. REPORTS +HEADSTRIKE, DENIES LOC, NOT ON AC. LACERATION TO BACK OF HEAD. REPORTS FELL OVER VACUUM CLEANER CORD. ED DX: UTI
Consumer Incident Reports
Reports filed by consumers on SaferProducts.gov.
Vacuuming furniture product began throwing sparks out of the motor
This form is very difficult so as to not get futher furstrated I will summaryize my issue . We bought a Hoover # Uh 70201 Vac with retractable cord the cord melted fron the motor resulting in a shock to a heart patient. Hoover knows they have a problem as I ended up talking with a loss prevention person.
The EVPRO-W Eye-Vac Vacuum Cleaner was being used in a Salon. The device had been plugged in since time of purchase on July 10, 2018. The item ignited and smoldered in a oxygen deficient environment.
With the power switch fully in the "off" position, my Craftsman shop vac turned itself on, began to smoke from the motor and started to flame.
wher e the vacuum cleaner lifts off n there is a plug that melted and almost started fire
(09/02/2020) The consumer was using the vacuum for about 10 minutes when the product burst into flames. The flames were about 8 to 10 inches high. The consumer was able to put the fire out. The product had shorted out at the handle near the extender rod. There were damages to a vinyl floor in the bathroom.
I Bought a Shart Rotator vacuum in March 2017, model NV501. Yesterday I was vacuuming as normal and I received a shock while gripping the plastic handle that holds a metal hose. I immediately let go of the handle. I then started to doubt myself and grabbed the handle again and was shocked. Again, I just couldn't believe I was being shocked and grabbed the handle and was shocked again. I googled shark vacuum shocks and seen some recalls concerning that. I called shark this morning and they told me they are sending me a new hose...something could have broken inside. They also claim it could have been a static shock from the carpet even though it's not winter or the type of socks I had on. I didn't have on socks and I don't have wall to wall carpet in my house. I was on the hardwood floor.which is a very light sensation. They said they are going to send me a new handle/hose. I am not happy about this. I don't want to use this vacuum. I am 60 years old and have vacuumed all my life and NEVER been shocked.
The consumer stated that when she would vacuum, the under carriage would get jammed and start to smoke and smell as if it is burning. The consumer was searching the Internet and came across Release #11-124. The manufacturer was contacted earlier this year and she was offered the remedy. The consumer was instructed to send back the bottom portion of the vacuum along with the hose. In return she was to receive a refurbished vacuum. Approximately 2 weeks later the consumer received a vacuum, but it was not her original unit that she sent in. After using the vacuum, she noticed immediately that the same failure had re-occurred by the under carriage jamming and a burning odor. The manufacturer was not contacted as yet.
Showing 8 of 376 reports.
Product Recalls
Search for active and past recalls related to vacuum cleaners on the CPSC website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How dangerous are vacuum cleaners?
Based on 20 years of CPSC data, vacuum cleaners have a danger score of 40/100 (moderate risk). An estimated 18,819 ER-treated injuries occur annually in the U.S. related to this product category.
What are the most common injuries from vacuum cleaners?
The most common injury is strain, sprain to the lower trunk, accounting for approximately 31,223 injuries over 20 years.
Are injuries from vacuum cleaners increasing or decreasing?
Down 18% over 5 years.
Who is most at risk for vacuum cleaners injuries?
The 75+ age group accounts for the most injuries, with approximately 66,165 cases recorded over 20 years. Females are more frequently injured in this age group.
What happens when someone is injured by vacuum cleaners?
Of all ER visits involving vacuum cleaners, approximately 8.2% result in hospital admission. The majority of patients (91.8%) are treated and released from the emergency department.
How can I report a safety problem with vacuum cleaners?
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 Laundry & Household 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 75+ 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.
