Video Players And Recorders (excl. Cameras)
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 Structures & Construction Materials · CPSC Code 576
Down 47% over 5 years
The verdict
Video Players And Recorders (excl. Cameras) carry a danger score of 29/100 (low risk), driven by roughly 742 ER-treated injuries a year that are declining by about 47% over the last five years.
- 29/100
- danger score (low risk)
- 742
- ER visits per year (avg)
- 7.2%
- end in hospital admission
- 0-4
- most-injured age group
Every figure is rendered from the CPSC NEISS record for product code 576 - last data year 2024.
PlainSafety danger score
How this 29/100 score is built
The score is computed from four CPSC-derived factors for video players and recorders (excl. cameras) - no opinion, no editorializing:
- Injury volume742 ER visits/yr
- Severity (hospitalization rate)7.2%
- Fatality rate0.00%
- 5-year trend-47%
See the full methodology for the exact weighting of each factor.
What the CPSC Data Shows
Video Players And Recorders (excl. Cameras) (CPSC product code 576, in the Home Structures & Construction Materials category) generate an estimated 742 emergency-room visits every year in the United States, adding up to roughly 10,394 ER-treated injuries across the 14-year span from 2011 to 2024. PlainSafety derives a danger score of 29/100 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 47% over the last five years, with the busiest year on record being 2012 (1,635 estimated ER visits) and the quietest 2023 (198 estimated visits).
The single most common ER diagnosis for video players and recorders (excl. cameras) is internal injury to the head, accounting for approximately 1,421 visits across the 20-year NEISS window, followed by laceration to the finger (944 cases). The 0-4 age group absorbs the largest share of injuries, about 2,053 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 7.2% of ER visits involving this product end in hospital admission or transfer.
Beyond the hospital-sampled NEISS projections, this page also aggregates 26 consumer incident reports filed directly on SaferProducts.gov, plus 20 anonymized ER narratives - together forming a layered picture of how video players and recorders (excl. cameras) 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 (2011–2024)
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 | 1,151 | 902 | |
| 5-14 | 965 | 705 | |
| 15-24 | 671 | 776 | |
| 25-34 | 514 | 664 | |
| 35-44 | 310 | 241 | |
| 45-54 | 733 | 699 | |
| 55-64 | 450 | 380 | |
| 65-74 | 406 | 361 | |
| 75+ | 72 | 396 |
Most Common Injuries
| Body Part | Diagnosis | Est. Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Internal Injury | |
| Finger | Laceration | |
| Face | Laceration | |
| Head | Laceration | |
| Upper Trunk | Other | |
| Upper Trunk | Fracture | |
| Foot | Laceration | |
| Lower Trunk | Strain, Sprain | |
| Foot | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Upper Trunk | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Hand | Laceration | |
| Not Stated/unk | Other | |
| Face | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Toe | Fracture | |
| Knee | Dislocation |
Severity Breakdown
ER Visit Narratives
Real anonymized emergency room reports from the CPSC NEISS database.
17 YOM INJURED KNEE VIDEO RECORDING DX: DISLOCATION
72YOF PRESENTS TO ED WITH CHEST PAIN. PT STATES SHE WAS HOLDING A HEAVY CAMERA AT AN EVENT WHERE SHE MIGHT HAVE STRAINED HER MUSCLE. DX: NON-CARDIAC CHEST PAIN
5YOF WAS WITH MOTHER AND THEY WERE CLEANING OUT A CONDEMNED HOUSE AND PATIENTS GRANDFATHER WAS THROWING A DVD PLAYER INTO THE DUMPSTER, ACCIDENTALLY STRIKING PATIENT IN THE FACE INSTEAD CAUSING A LACERATION TO HER LEFT CHEEK AND BRIEFLY CAUSING LEFT EPISTAXIS. DX: FACIAL LACERATION
34 YOF DVD PLAYER FELL ON L FOOT DX: FOOT CONTUSION
79YOM PRESENT AFTER HE FELL IN HIS LIVING ROOM AFTER ATTEMPTING TO WORK ON A VCR PLAYER DX: FALL
78YOF TO ER HAD FALL AT HOME WHILE DAUGHTER WENT TO STORE, DAUGHTER IS CAREGIVER, DAUGHTER SAYS SHE HAS A NANNY CAM & SAW WHEN PT FELL & HIT HER HEAD WHEN SHE WENT TO PICK SOMETHING UP IN HOUSE OFF FLOOR, PT HIT HEAD & LEFT UPPER ARM DX FALL, DX FALL, INJURY OF HEAD, LEFT UPPER ARM PAIN
89YOF PRESENTS AFTER SHE WAS FOUND BY DAUGHTER ON THE GROUND THIS MORNING. THE CAMERAS REVIEWED BY THEIR CHILDREN AND PATIENT SHOW THAT SHE SEEMS TO HAVE FALLEN AT NIGHT. DX: RHABDOMYOLYSIS, ENCEPHALOPATHY, URINARY TRACT INFECTION
52YOM WAS PUTTING SECURITY CAMERAS UP ON HIS HOUSE WHEN HE WAS TEN FEET UP A LADDER AND FELL OFF DX: CONTUSION RIGHT KNEE, CONTUSION RIGHT ELBOW
18YOF WAS DANCING IN HER BATHROOM RECORDING A *** VIDEO WHEN SHE SLIPPED AND FELL BACKWARDS LANDING IN THE TUB AND STRIKING THE BACK OF HER HEAD ON THE BATHTUB DX: CHI
34YOF, INJURIED FINGER ON DVD PLAYER, UNKOWN MECHANISM, LWBS, NO DX
25 YOM WAS FILMING A VIDEO WHEN A CAR SPUN OUT AND THE BACK OF THE CAR HIT HIM. DX: FRACTURE BASE OF SECOND METACARPAL RIGHT HAND, FRACTGURE STYLOID PROCESS OF RIGHT ULNA, FRACTURE FIFTH METACARPAL LEFT HAND, FRACTURE BASE OF FOURTH METACARPAL LEFT HAND.
57YOF WAS SHEPHERDING HER KITTENS AROUND THE HOUSE WHEN SHE TRIPPED OVER HER SON'S *** CONSOLE AND LANDED HORIZONTALLY ON HER LEFT SIDE. DX: CLOSED FRACTURE OF MULTIPLE RIBS OF LEFT SIDE
Consumer Incident Reports
Reports filed by consumers on SaferProducts.gov.
The reporter (fire fighter) stated that the DVD player caught on fire while in use. He stated that the consumer informed him that they had been using the DVD player for approximately and hour before it caught on fire. He stated that the DVD play was completely destroyed and the fire spread to the bed sheets. The reporter stated that by observing the DVD player it seemed that the fire started on the back of player where the battery compartment was located. He stated that no one was injured. The reporter stated that the manufacturer was not contacted. He believes that this product should be investigated due to the fire hazard that it poses to consumers.
battery pack expanded and opened on sony model dvp-fx810. battery model np-fx110. dvd player was not dropped or otherwise disturbed, battery pack split at seam and expanded and is unusable
On a three hour car ride, my boys were watching movies on a Philips dual portable DVD player that attaches to the back of the headrest of a car. About 2 hours into the ride, my 2.5 year old started crying and saying he hurt is foot. I thought he had just bumped it, so I reached back and rubbed it. about 10 minutes later, it happened again. This time I smelled something burning and I looked over to see the side of the DVD player that faces the windows, was smoking. I pulled the car to the shoulder of the highway and opened the door to see that the wires of the DVD player were actually on fire. I was able to unlatch the DVD player and stomp on it.
On Sept 13, my son watched his Phillips DVD Portable player for approximately 45 minutes. When he was done, he turned it off. It was still plugged in and charging. It was left sitting on our couch. At 4am on Sept 14 I woke up because of the smell of smoke/fire. I found the DVD player and it had heated, melted, burned the couch cover, begun to burn a significant hole in the seat cushion itself. I dont know the source or cause but the place where the battery is stored is completely burned.
Battery compartment expanded into the DVD path rendering DVD player inoperable and risk of fire or explosion from Li-Po battery.
We have had tv service from Direct TV for about 6 months--the DVR was installed then by a Direct TV technician. Yesterday evening, I came home to discover that the DVR had "combusted": the power cord melted from the DVR and detached, there was soot going up the wall behind the DVR about 10 inches and the table that the DVR was sitting on was burnt and had a brownish liquid on it. There was also a small puddle of the same brown liquid on top of the DVR. I unplugged the DVR and called Direct TV. They are sending someone out to replace the DVR, but I'm concerned about a design/manufacture/product defect of a component part that may cause this to happen again or to other consumers. It appears to be consistent with a defective capacitor that failed. I took photos of the DVR and scorch damage.
The DVD player was plugged into the wall during the night and caught on fire. Luckily my son woke and saw it and we were able to put it out with minimal damage.
While children were watching a DVD, the attached lithium ion rechargeable battery pack swelled and split open. It appears that one of the internal battery cells swelled and ruptured the plastic case, breaking it loose from the DVD player. While no injury occurred, I am concerned about the risk of injury and fire related to this issue.
Showing 8 of 26 reports.
Product Recalls
Search for active and past recalls related to video players and recorders (excl. cameras) on the CPSC website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How dangerous are video players and recorders (excl. cameras)?
Based on 20 years of CPSC data, video players and recorders (excl. cameras) have a danger score of 29/100 (low risk). An estimated 742 ER-treated injuries occur annually in the U.S. related to this product category.
What are the most common injuries from video players and recorders (excl. cameras)?
The most common injury is internal injury to the head, accounting for approximately 1,421 injuries over 20 years.
Are injuries from video players and recorders (excl. cameras) increasing or decreasing?
Down 47% over 5 years.
Who is most at risk for video players and recorders (excl. cameras) injuries?
The 0-4 age group accounts for the most injuries, with approximately 2,053 cases recorded over 20 years. Males are more frequently injured in this age group.
What happens when someone is injured by video players and recorders (excl. cameras)?
Of all ER visits involving video players and recorders (excl. cameras), approximately 7.2% result in hospital admission. The majority of patients (92.8%) are treated and released from the emergency department.
How can I report a safety problem with video players and recorders (excl. cameras)?
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 Structures & Construction Materials
Safety Guides
What this means for you
Treat the 29/100 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 0-4 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.