Power tools · #41 of 45 by ER visits

Torches: injury statistics

Cutting torches and torches not otherwise specified. In 2025 they were involved in an estimated 1,961 emergency room visits in the US.

Torches
Photo: objectif / Unsplash
1,961
ER visits in 2025
19%
admitted or transferred
+34%
change since 2016
13%
aged 65 or over

ER visits per year

2016–2025 · 45 sampled cases in 2025
2016: 1,46116’2017: 93217’2018: 1,55818’2019: 1,38719’2020: 1,06520’2021: 1,37021’2022: 1,25422’2023: 1,58923’2024: 2,01724’2025: 1,96125’

Injury type

Share of ER visits, 2021–2025

Thermal burn78%
Foreign body4.2%
Poisoning3.1%
Laceration3.0%
Contusion or abrasion2.4%
Other1.9%

Body part injured

Share of ER visits, 2021–2025

Finger14%
Face14%
Hand13%
Lower arm12%
Lower leg9.7%
Eye6.9%

Age of injured people

86% male · 2021–2025

0-42.8%
5-143.9%
15-2417%
25-4438%
45-6426%
65-748.0%
75+5.0%

Real cases

From NEISS case narratives, 2024–2025. Abbreviations expanded.

32-year-old male states that he burned his left second finger on a torch four days ago and the sight is worsening now red swollen and painful — diagnosis: Thermal burn to finger.
36-year-old male presents with a burn to his right hip/ r low quadrant/ right flank after falling asleep on a torch. — diagnosis: No — diagnosis:, left without being seen.
39-year-old male present to er with hand px. Patient sts he burned his r ring finger on a torch 2d ago now with swelling/decreased rom. Noted patient eloped from the er — diagnosis: Not stated.
63-year-old male was removing a spare tire and was using a cutting torch and felt something go into his eye. Was not wearing safety glassses. — diagnosis: Rust ring of l cornea due to matellic fb.
Recalls

Recalls of torches

4 since 2010
Jobon Torch Lighters Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Fire and Burn Hazards; Violate Mandatory Standard for Multipurpose Lighters2026-07-16 · Fire, CrashTorchesPearl River Propane Hoses Sold with Flame King Torches and Accessories Recalled Due to Fire Hazard2021-12-22 · FireTorchesGrillBlazer Recalls Propane Torch Guns Due to Fire Hazard2020-12-09 · FireTorchesHarbor Freight Tools Recalls Propane Torches Due to Burn Hazard2019-02-27 · FireTorches

Questions

How many people are injured by torches each year?

About 1,961 people were treated in US emergency rooms for injuries involving torches in 2025, according to CPSC's NEISS estimates. The average over 2021–2025 was 1,638 a year.

What are the most common injuries from torches?

Thermal burn is the most common diagnosis (78% of cases 2021–2025), and the finger is the most often injured body part (14%).

How often do injuries from torches need hospital admission?

19.1% 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 codes 874, 890. 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

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