Read the 5 Ridiculous Finalists for the ‘Wacky Warning Labels’ Contest
- Posted on May 17, 2011 at 9:37am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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DETROIT (The Blaze/AP) — Ballpoint pen-chewers, take note: The cap in your mouth can obstruct breathing if swallowed.
Common sense? Apparently for speakers of French, Spanish and German. The warning appears only in the English section of the multilingual instructions from the pen manufacturer, according to the creator of the Wacky Warning Labels contest.
The pen cap caveat is among five finalists announced Tuesday in the 14th annual contest that calls out silly warning labels and rails against lawsuits it deems frivolous.
(Read our blog post showing some more wacky labels.)
“The lawsuit problem is a uniquely American problem,” said Bob Dorigo Jones, who started the contest that’s sponsored by the Atlanta-based nonprofit group The Center for America. Its stated mission is to “reduce barriers to free enterprise.”
“People in other countries do not sue when they cause an injury to themselves because their systems don’t allow it,” said Jones, a Novi, Mich.-based senior fellow of the center.
Other finalists include “Does not supply oxygen” on a dust mask and “Avoid drowning. Remove safety cover from spa when in use” on a hot tub cover. A more high-concept warning making the list is this label for a leather handgun holster designed to look like a personal digital assistant: “For gun only, not a functional day planner.”
Another warning on the list tells would-be bicycle riders, “The action depicted in this brochure is potentially dangerous. The riders seen are experts or professionals.” At least some of the children pictured have training wheels on their bikes.
The nominations were selected from entries submitted to The Center for America by mail. A winner is expected to be announced in June. Last year’s winner, a hands-free “Drive ‘N’ Talk’ device that cautioned consumers not to use while driving, was announced on John Stossel’s TV show:
Jones said he’s observed that excessive warning labels seem to defeat their purpose.
“We have become so over-warned in America,” he said. “Many warning-label experts … believe that warnings have gotten to the point that people ignore them now.”
The executive director of a consumer group that aims to defend the civil justice system sees it differently.
“Litigation in this country is dropping like a rock in every state,” said Joanne Doroshow of the Center for Justice & Democracy.
“To be of more benefit to the country we should take a look at people who have been injured by dangerous products who are no longer able to get into court because of tort restrictions that have passed. … That’s a far bigger problem,” she said.
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Comments (139)
Lee_in_PA
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 11:28amI have often wondered how many people have gotten the IDEA to try something stupid after reading the warning labels, just because they wondered WHAT WOULD HAPPEN?
Report Post »mrsmileyface
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 3:26pmCan we PLEASE push the big red button. So humanity 2.0 can get a head start. This version cant be fixed. why? Because you cant fix stupid.
Report Post »the_ancient
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 11:27amAnyone remember Lawn Darts???? I used to LOVE that game when I was a kid, then some stupid people get hurt, sue and the government bann’s the sale……
I hate people, if you got hurt playing Lawn Darts it was your own fault….
Report Post »vennoye
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 12:11pmStill have my set………have played for years……..no one hurt yet!!!
Report Post »Buzz Cat
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 11:26amThe concept of personal responsibility is long dead in the land of the free.
Report Post »FELICITOUS
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 1:42pm@BUZZ CAT
Report Post »Thank you for saying that. What has happened to personal responsibility? No one wants to take responsibility for their own actions or in-actions. It is always someone else fault.
TheRealElvis
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 11:24amMy kid’s Magic Marker says that it will not perform miracles such as make ice cream appear and will not create a set of new parents.
Report Post »LukeAppling
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 11:16amThe combination of 60′s radicals, Obama and lawyers should be avoided they all think they know more than we do and we must be led by them. They are “elite” and we are “the proletariot” at least that was what Stalin called the rabble Obama will call us something similar, perhaps, Moat dwellers’?
Report Post »whatsinaname
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 11:08amNOKOOLAIDDRINKER
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 9:48am
You know the sad thing is, there actually are people that are really that STUPID!!! YOU CAN’T FIX STUPID!
Sure you can. All you have to do is stop watching Glenn Beck and Fox “News”
Report Post »Jim
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 1:40pmWhy don’t you quite posting on The Blaze. A site brought to you by Glenn Beck. Dumb @ass!
Report Post »bandi9
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 11:06amWhich reminds me…“did anyone here see ”How MOM and Dad Saved the World”?
Report Post »Drum Man
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 11:02amOn a cloths iron: Do not iron while wearing the garment.
Report Post »Whirled Peas
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 2:29pmYou reckon they are suggesting one iron in the nude?
Report Post »wolverine
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 11:02amLook at some of the crap from the flooded areas like “I built my house in a flood zone and don’t have flood insurance but the taxpayers need to help me.”
Report Post »alcarfl
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 12:15pmI re-built my house in a flood zone…….and….
Report Post »Honest_E
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 1:37pmand you probably have flood insurance… is what I think he was saying
Report Post »B4tm4n
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 11:01amWhere are the responsible judges? A woman pulls into a McDonald’s drive-thru and orders coffee. She puts the cup between her legs and drives off. Surprise!!! The coffee spills and burns her legs. It’s coffee…it’s hot…she’s stupid!!! Why didn’t the judge tell her to get the hell out of his court room and pay court costs? If judges would slap down a few of these frivolous suits, maybe it would send a message to lawyers who accept these cases to advise people whether or not they have a legitimate case.
Report Post »wordweaver
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 10:59am“The first thing we do is kill all the lawyers.” William Shakespeare
Report Post »teachermitch32
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 10:53amNot sure if this is true. Lady purchased spermicide jelly, put it on her toast for awhile for protection, got pregnant anyway and filed suit against company for product failure. Not sure if she won.
In my profession (Property Inspection) we have to state, multiple times in report and on contract, that the inspection findings are for the “day of the inspection only”. This is because things can break or fail the minute we walk out of the house.
Truly a litigious society we live in, and California leads the way in this silliness.
Report Post »RedHarley
Posted on May 18, 2011 at 8:14amReminds me of the guy who went to the doctor for constipation. The doctor examined him, then gave him 14 suppositories while telling him to take one every day, and to make an appointment to come back in 2 weeks.
2 weeks later the guy shows back up at the doctor’s office. The doctor asked if the suppositories worked.
Report Post »The guy says ” No they didn’t work at all…….They tasted horrible. I might as well have shoved them up my a$$………..”
Bob1943
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 10:46amThen we get products designed to protect us from ourselves like spill-proof gas cans that are impossible to use without spilling gas all over the place.
Reducing the number of lawyers in the U.S.A. by 90% would do more to save our nation than any other one thing, with the possible exception of arresting and jailing the White House imposter and his enablers.
Report Post »Obama_Sham
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 12:15pmAren’t 90% of the nations lawyers in D.C.?!?
Report Post »Fedupwithprogressives
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 10:39amHow about the warning on the Cialis and Viagra tv commercials;“ Does not prevent HIV”….So I am guessing it prevents all other STDs or maybe pregnancy?
Report Post »Outlaw_Josey_Wales
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 10:25amWarning Warning
Report Post »Obamacare could be hazardous to your health!!!!!!
Rickfromillinois
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 10:14amThis is because in the United States it has become standard that no matter how stupid something is, is you do it and hurt yourself someone else needs to pay for it. One of the problems is that you can sue anyone for anything, no matter how stupid, and you are only responsible for YOUR court costs. If they started making the loser of a law suite pay everyone’s lawyer fees then you might a big drop in lawsuits. As it is now many businesses will settle out of court because of legal fees. Then we have juries who will give astronomical amounts to losers who do stupid things because they feel sorry for the dumb slub who is going to need medical care for the rest of their lives and obviously these big businesses can afford it. Then they wonder why the cost of just about everything keeps rising. That is not the main reason but it certainly is a contributing factor. Read the warning labels on a new ladder some time. Read all of the labels on a lawn mower or in it’s users manual. The thing I always found funny is that if you are so stupid that you would do some of those things then you are probably too stupid to be able to read those warnings.
Report Post »captaincameron
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 10:10amI say we get rid of all the safety warnings and also ban frivolous lawsuits. It’s time to thin out the population.
Report Post »Child A sees the metal object as a fork.
Child B sees the metal object as a toast extractor.
I’m not thinking Child B is going to be that much of a boon to society anyway.
TheBeesKnowSoros
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 11:01amThanks for the chuckle. I needed that today!
Report Post »alcarfl
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 9:57amSeen on middle eastern Coke bottle bottom, “Open other end.”
Report Post »satotbs
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 11:24amProbably also says “Dispose of properly, 1. fill with gasoline. 2. stuff rag made from US or Israeli flag in open end. 3. ignite rag. 4. hurl entire bottle and contents at any one you disagree with. 5. If bottle can be recovered, recyle and or reuse responsibly. 6. If bottle shatters, remove sharp shards while wearing thick gloves and send to IED manufacturing facility. Notice! Coke has been known to cause cancer in California.
Report Post »Attention2Detail
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 9:56amJust lock us all in padded rooms wrapped in bubble wrap. Or maybe it would be better just to expect people to use a little of what used to be called common sense.
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 10:21amcan’t use bubblewrap….some idiot would 1) suffocate themselves or 2) eat it
Report Post »GENEPAGLIARI
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 9:56amWhy didn’t obama come with a warning label? West for POTUS.
Report Post »Attention2Detail
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 9:59amWould that be the same West who doesn’t want to defund Obamacare?
Report Post »Bob_R_OathKeeper
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 10:12amAttention2Detail – You are either lying or you’re ignorant to the facts. Allen West wants to repeal the whole thing, not chip away, which will ultimately cost more money and take forever. He wants the whole thing repealed, get the facts or shut your trap. Thanks.
Report Post »GENEPAGLIARI
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 10:18am@attention2detail
Report Post »Apparently NOT
FreedomFighter2006
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 10:24amIt‘s not he doesn’t want to defund it, but he doesn’t want to waste time in the house sending through bills that will never get passed in the senate with their communist majority… That’s the way I understood it, correct me if I’m wrong?!?!
Report Post »Hula Calhoun
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 11:43amHe didn’t vote to defund Obamacare completely. He is against nickel-and-diming the defunding. Read an article about it and not just a headline.
gene: I think Obama did come with a warning sign but the liberals couldn’t read it.
Report Post »Dry_Drunk_GA
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 2:01pmWarnin: Do Not P Off BobROathkeepr
Report Post »Bob_R_OathKeeper
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 9:51amI remember learning how to use the Claymore mine in the Marine Corps and how it says, “front toward enemy” really? LOL
Report Post »Ballgame
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 10:18amThe saying in the Army is, “Every time we make something idiot proof, along comes a bigger idiot.”
Report Post »Dry_Drunk_GA
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 2:18pmyeah they are some big ones you are correct
Report Post »chris3
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 2:43pmhad forgotten that one!,most anti-tank,rpg’s,and others also have same instructions(with arrows) yet still our “allies” on the ground in libya can’t get that right.
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 9:50amSo Jeff Dahmer needed seeing a label on people saying “Not For Human Consumption”?
Report Post »starman70
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 9:49amKeep up the silliness. It provides more comic relief every day. Of course with so many of today’s children, products who are of America’s dumbed down school systems, these labels are necessary (That is, if they can be read).
Report Post »true2myword
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 2:23pmWarning! ¡Peligro! Looking too close at this post may cause your eyes to cross and stay that way.
Report Post »IMPEACHBHO
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 9:44amDo not strike match in a room full of natural gas.
Report Post »starman70
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 9:56amOr in a barn full of cows emitting methane.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 10:24amHow about “Do not light candles at a chili eating convention.”
Report Post »Who would Jesus bomb?
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 10:40amDid you see this:
“Litigation in this country is dropping like a rock in every state,” said Joanne Doroshow of the Center for Justice & Democracy.
“To be of more benefit to the country we should take a look at people who have been injured by dangerous products who are no longer able to get into court because of tort restrictions that have passed. … That’s a far bigger problem,” she said.
Now there’s your winner. This complete idiot thinks that tort reform is a PROBLEM??? Thinks we need MORE AMBULANCE CHASERS??? Hasn’t enough damage been done? Hasn’t industry suffered enough? Can we run some more business out of the country? This is the kind of thinking that’s gotten us into this mess. Can someone slap this person into next year???
Report Post »anutter
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 12:10pmMy favorite of all time on Winnebago’s “Do not leave driver seat while vehicle is in motion”
Report Post »NSDQ
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 9:39amDaughter’s hair dryer actually has a label on it that says “Do not use in shower” amazing
Report Post »Dry_Drunk_GA
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 9:46amThis because a women got burned with Macdonald coffee and it cost so much they needed to raise coffee prices higher than Starrbaks for a whole year, so they told their congresses to FIX it!
Report Post »NOKOOLAIDDRINKER
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 9:48amYou know the sad thing is, there actually are people that are really that STUPID!!! YOU CAN’T FIX STUPID!
Report Post »TexasCommonSense
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 9:52amThis is also why so many businesses are moving out of the US. We’re way too litigious. There are just too many greedy lawyers looking to make a quick buck.
Report Post »travlman77
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 9:53amStupidity Kills!!
Just Not Offen Enough!
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 9:55amThe “Cry wolf syndrome” in action.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 9:56amI like the one from the Superman Pj’s that say “Does not enable wearer to fly.”
Report Post »Who would Jesus bomb?
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 9:57amCaution, do not touch wires, causes INSTANT DEATH, and a $200 fine.
Report Post »BIGJAYINPA
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 10:01amWARNING!! Common sense is HARMFUL to LIBERAL THINKING.
Report Post »NOTICE!! Truth will DEFEAT Dumbocrats every time
These are warning labels I saw today when I went to vote.
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 10:24amSometimes there should be more common sense in this nation – the phrase “Let the buyer beware” comes to mind in that if something, for example, says “Contents may be hot” and you eat it anyway and get burned, then the fault is your own…we have too many lawsuit happy folks in the world.
Report Post »Obama Snake Oil Co
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 10:38amThese labels are designed for you typical Obama voter. See the corelation?
Report Post »RightWrite
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 11:11amAll you haters are WRONG — we have the most wonderful tort system in the world. Perhaps you think the government should protect us, and not use the free-enterprise system? Many people hate lawyers until they need one on their side to defend or litigate.
Report Post »Professional Infidel
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 11:14am“Warning” “don’t look in mirror, you will see an Idiot”
Report Post »VegasGuy
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 11:16amI have a mirror on the ceiling above my bed. It says, “Objects in mirror are larger than they appear.”
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 11:54amHow about this label
BO IS HAZARDOUS TO THIS COUNTRY!!!
Report Post »DO NOT ELECT AGAIN!!!
independentvoteril
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 12:18pmMy sister and I use to talk about these warning labels.. and LAUGH.. as she said REMOVE the labels it will thin out the herd of IDIOTS.. I agree..
Report Post »BTW the best one is on the window shades for cars that says “REMOVE BEFORE DRIVING”..LOL..
independentvoteril
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 12:26pm@RightWrite… Ya a wonderful TORT system for all those who are to stupid to THINK.. I am not saying SOME things should have warning labels but the COMMON SENSE ones SHOULD NOT.. It use to be before school PROPAGANDA that SCHOOLS actually required student to use common sense.. therefore when they got to be adults they would KNOW things like don’t use electric in tub.. don’t order HOT coffee than sue when you spill it on yourself.. and DON’T leave a plastic bag where a child can get it.. NOW the NEW Adults are as DUMB AS A BOX OF ROCKS and have to be told things that use to come when people were taught to use their BRAINS..
Report Post »HippieConservative
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 1:09pmMy Fav is the Firelog (firestarting log) that say anongst other things…Warning this product may be flamable.
Report Post »ecurbyy
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 1:54pmThese warnings have nothing to do with common sense. It’s all about liability.
Report Post »Dry_Drunk_GA
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 2:15pmI have actually eaten some pen tops like the story says but I never thought about it, and still dont
Report Post »toto
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 5:03pmPerhaps someone should start a movement to allow Darwinism to work its magic among the populace.
Report Post »SonOfaCommunist
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 9:01pmHow about this sign? “Liberal Logic” Can any one say, oxymoron! He he
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 10:58pmNot all that long ago, I took a package to the post office that contained a book. The clerk asked me if there was anything hazardous, flammable or perishable in the package. He got really upset when I said “Yes, it’s a book.” He then repeated the question and I repeated my answer. Then he pushed the package back at me. The supervisor came over and asked what the problem was. I told her that I was trying to mail a book. I pointed out that books burn when exposed to flame, so they are flammable. I added that most of the mail they transport is made of paper, which is flammable. She rolled her eyes, weighed the package and charged me for the proper postage. I‘ve noticed that they’ve stop asking if the item is flammable now.
Report Post »jeffp605
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 10:59pmHow many liberal lawyers gotta become billionaires before we put a stop to these useless claims that cause these warnings .
Report Post »CatholiConservative
Posted on May 18, 2011 at 1:53amMy personal favorite is the butane stick- lighter that has the warming ‘do not use near open flame’
Report Post »MSMOM
Posted on May 18, 2011 at 4:19pmMy iron actually says “remove clothes before use.” Does that mean iron in the nude or don’t iron the clothes your wearing?
Report Post »