NITE's 2024 Accident Information Collection Report
On May 29, 2025, the Independent Administrative Institution, National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE), published its report titled the
2024 Accident Information Collection Report. This comprehensive document consolidates data on product-related accidents collected up until the year 2024. For the third consecutive year, the report reveals that battery-related incidents lead in terms of the number of occurrences. This rising trend of battery accidents emphasizes the need for heightened safety awareness and proactive measures.
Overview of Accident Occurrences
According to the report, which includes a detailed segment on accident occurrences in the past five years, several product categories were highlighted. Among these, four key groups consistently ranked in the top ten most frequent categories for the entire five-year period: batteries, air conditioners, lighting equipment, and furniture. Especially noteworthy is the continuous dominance of batteries in terms of total accidents, maintaining their position as the highest occurrence category for the third year running.
The report's Table 1 summarizes the top ten product groups with the most accident occurrences over the last five years. The importance of this data lies in its ability to inform manufacturers, consumers, and safety regulatory bodies about persistent risks associated with common household products.
Trends in Accident Data from 2015 to 2024
In addition to listing the most frequent categories, the report also illustrates the trends of incidents by type of damage from 2015 through 2024. As shown in the report's Figure 6, the number of incidents categorized by damage severity continues to rise. Each incident is logged based on the most serious outcome reported: if both personal and property damage occur, the incident is counted under personal damage.
Interestingly, the proportion of property damage incidents outweighs that of personal injuries significantly. In 2024, personal injuries accounted for 14.5% of incidents, whereas property damage incidents made up a staggering 66.8%. This stark contrast indicates that while safety measures may have prevented more severe injuries, property damage remains a pressing concern.
Moreover, the report highlights increasing occurrences of fires associated with certain product categories, like batteries, chargers, air conditioners, and lighting equipment. Since the fiscal year 2020, the number of fire incidents has seen a recurring upward trend, representing a growing threat to consumer safety.
NITE's Commitment to Consumer Safety
NITE is dedicated to promoting safety in the consumer environment through the regular dissemination of information pertaining to product incidents. By collecting accident data and investigating the causes behind them, NITE aims to prevent future occurrences and enhance the overall safety for the public.
Every fourth Thursday of the month, NITE issues press releases, coupled with its bi-monthly, safety-focused PS Magazine published on the second and fourth Tuesdays. Informative resources, including warning posters and demonstration videos to clarify potential risks, are readily available on NITE's official YouTube channel and X (formerly Twitter) account, ensuring that consumers have access to vital safety information.
About NITE's Product Safety Center
NITE's Product Safety Center operates in accordance with consumer safety laws, gathering thousands of accident reports each year related to common household products, including electrical appliances and gas equipment. By investigating and analyzing these incidents impartially and thoroughly, NITE aids in identifying causes and assessing risks, ultimately aiming to prevent recurring product accidents and ensuring consumer protection.