Axes & hatchets: injury statistics
Splitting and felling axes and hatchets. In 2025 they were involved in an estimated 10,120 emergency room visits in the US.
ER visits per year
2016–2025 · 180 sampled cases in 2025Injury type
Share of ER visits, 2021–2025
Body part injured
Share of ER visits, 2021–2025
Age of injured people
88% male · 2021–2025
Real cases
From NEISS case narratives, 2024–2025. Abbreviations expanded.
Recalls of axes & hatchets
Petzl America Recalls Nomic and Ergonomic Ice Climbing Axes Due to Fall Hazard; Risk of Serious Injury or Death2026-03-26 · FallAxes & hatchetsSeattle Manufacturing Corporation Recalls Ice Axes Due to Serious Injury and Fall Hazards2019-08-07 · FallAxes & hatchetsWalmart Recalls Camp Axes Due to Injury Hazard2018-10-03Axes & hatchetsSTUBAI Recalls Ice Axes Due to Laceration and Impact Hazards2016-07-28 · Laceration, ImpactAxes & hatchetsSnow Peak Recalls Japanese Axe Due to Laceration and Impact Hazards2015-05-07 · Laceration, ImpactAxes & hatchetsGerber Legendary Blades Recalls Combo Axe Due to Laceration Hazard2011-03-23 · LacerationAxes & hatchetsQuestions
How many people are injured by axes & hatchets each year?
About 10,120 people were treated in US emergency rooms for injuries involving axes & hatchets in 2025, according to CPSC's NEISS estimates. The average over 2021–2025 was 11,175 a year.
What are the most common injuries from axes & hatchets?
Laceration is the most common diagnosis (71% of cases 2021–2025), and the finger is the most often injured body part (36%).
How often do injuries from axes & hatchets need hospital admission?
2.5% of ER visits ended with the patient admitted or transferred to another hospital in 2021–2025.
About these numbers
National estimates from the CPSC National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), product code 1426. A case is counted if the tool appears in any of its three product fields. Estimates under 1,200 or based on fewer than 20 cases are flagged. Methodology · CSV
