Warning: Warnings are getting out of control!
WARNING: Do not read this newspaper while driving a motor vehicle, operating machinery or piloting an aircraft. Do not read newspaper over an open flame. Do not hold newspaper close to face while smoking a cigar. Do not use newspaper as a flotation device. Newspaper may be harmful if taken internally. Reading newspaper articles may cause irritation, nausea, drowsiness, uncontrollable laughter, weeping, cynicism, confusion, depression or existential despair. Keep out of reach of children.
Warning lables are everywhere! Most commonly they are on cigarette packs to warn that they are unhealthy, that hot coffee is actually hot, and medicine labels list various side effects that may occur. However, now they are even being found on dog leashes, rented movies, and biology textbooks.
In the United States, some warning lables are required by federal or state law, while others are voluntarily displayed on the product in order to prevent a lawsuit. In 1973, Congress voted to require labels on products containing toxic substances. The law created three levels of warnings: "Caution", "Warning", and "Danger!" Today's era is the era of warning, so consider yourself warned.
Some extreme warnings that are actually true:
Baby stroller - Remove child before folding
Heat Gun - Do not use as a hair dryer
Kitchen knife - Never try to catch a falling knife
Cocktail napkin decorated with a map of Hilton Head, S.C., - Not to be used for navigation
Bottle of dried bobact urine (for insect control) - Not for human consumption
Dr. Scholl's socks - Please be cautious as socks can be slippery when walking without shoes
Toilet brush - Do not use for personal hygiene
More of these true but strange warnings can be found in Dorigo Jones' forthcoming book "Remove A Child Before Folding: The 101 Stupidest, Silliest, and Wackiest Warning Labels Ever." You can check out more on this topic at this website http://www.mlaw.org/wwl/index.html.
Is America overprotective? Are warning labels a "safe bet" for businesses in order to protect them from lawsuits?
1 comment:
I believe that America is over protected because there are some people in America that can only learn the hard way. There is always going to be hidden costs for every decision a person makes. How severe these costs are depends on the personal choices that people make. People will continue to have errors in their judgment and no matter how many warning labels are placed on products people will still continue to do ridiculous things. There should be a common sense law that protects companies from frivolous lawsuits.
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