How Many People Die from Vending Machines | Causes, Stats & Safety Facts
How Many People Die from Vending Machines a Year? Vending machines have caused 37 deaths and over 100 injuries in the U.S, with roughly 2–3 deaths per year.
Vending Machine Fatalities — Data, Causes & Safety
Vending-machine related deaths and injuries in the U.S., plus safety guidance.
Quick Overview
Key historical facts (U.S.)
Vending machines are generally safe, but misuse (rocking/tilting to retrieve stuck items) has caused rare fatalities. The most commonly cited aggregate data covers 1978–1995.
37Recorded deaths (1978–1995) — U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
113Reported injuries (1978–1995)
~2.2 / yrAverage deaths per year (1978–1995)
1 in 112MIllustrative risk comparison (popular commentary)
Sources: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission; industry historical summaries and reporting. See Sources section for more detail.
Interactive Chart — Deaths & Injuries (1978–1995)
Aggregate data and an illustrative timeline
Data note: Recorded aggregate: 37 deaths and 113 injuries between 1978–1995 (CPSC reporting). Per-year breakdowns were not supplied in the original aggregate; the ‘Uniform distribution’ view spreads totals evenly across the years for illustration only.
Common Causes & Regulatory Response
Why incidents happen and industry action
Primary causes
- Rocking/tilting machines to retrieve stuck items (most common).
- Climbing on machines or standing on unstable surfaces near heavy cabinets.
- Improperly anchored placement that allows tipping.
Regulatory & industry response
- CPSC labeling campaign (1995) — warning labels and operator guidance to prevent tipping incidents.
- Operator best-practices encourage anchoring, signage, and staff training.
Safety Recommendations
Steps owners & operators should take
- Install clear warning labels instructing users not to rock or tilt machines.
- Anchor machines to floor or wall with vendor-recommended brackets.
- Place machines on stable flat surfaces and avoid cluttered, slippery areas.
- Train staff to follow a safe stuck-item procedure (do not rock the machine).
- Perform routine maintenance and tamper inspections.
Sources & Notes
This page is informational only. For legal or regulatory advice, consult local authorities, safety professionals, or counsel.
