Paper Shredder Safety Alert

Consumer Product Safety Alert

FROM THE U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20207

Paper Shredder Safety Alert

CPSC Document # 5127
May 2004

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) wants you and your family to be safe if you have a paper shredder. From January 2000 through December 2003, CPSC received 31 reports involving finger amputations, lacerations, and other finger injuries from paper shredders. The majority of injuries were to young children, ages 14 months to 2 years old.

Young children are interested in imitating adult activities. This puts children at risk of injury. Children may activate the shredder when an adult is not present.

Injuries can occur even when an adult is supervising a child. Children’s fingers can be pulled into the paper shredding mechanism if they don’t let the paper go.

  Never allow children to operate a paper shredder
Never allow children to operate a
paper shredder, even under adult
supervision. Injuries can still
occur. The pull force of the
shredder can draw a child’s fingers
into the shredding mechanism.


CPSC offers the following safety tips when using a paper shredder:

  • Never allow children to operate paper shredders, even under adult supervision. Paper shredders can pull children’s fingers into the shredder mechanism.

  • Place the paper shredder in an area less accessible to children.

  • Unplug the paper shredder power cord when not in use.

  • Do not place hands or fingers in the shredder.

  • Do not operate a paper shredder while wearing loose fitting clothing that may enter the shredder opening.

  • If wearing a tie or long necklace, use caution to keep these items away from the shredder opening.