# I am baffled by this warning **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 18, 2019, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-baffled-by-this-warning/832703 "2019-04-18T02:36:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-baffled-by-this-warning/832703/1 "2019-04-18T02:36:22Z")
I have a couple replacement scratching post inserts lying around in my bedroom. This morning out of boredom, I started reading the label on the package. Near the bottom, well, [I’ll let you see for yourself](https://ibb.co/p0152zp). I know kids can be both fragile and stupid, but how in the name of Og’s starched tighty-whities is a _freakin’ piece of cardboard_ dangerous to children? What do you think they’re going to do, attempt to eat it? Bash each other in the head with it? Accidentally summon Klxthgolshz the Cardboard-Eating Fiend into the mortal realm, precipitating his dread reign of bloody terror? Or maybe I’m reading it the wrong way. Maybe by “unsuitable for children”, they mean “not meant for children to sharpen their claws on”. In which case, sure! The very thought of a child crouched over a scratching post, fruitlessly scrabbling away, is heartbreaking-- or at least, the mental image brings tears to my eyes. No but seriously. I have idea WTF they’re getting at here. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-baffled-by-this-warning/832703/2 "2019-04-18T02:41:30Z")
Overkill warnings. A lawyer somewhere told them they had to cover all their bases. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-baffled-by-this-warning/832703/3 "2019-04-18T02:44:26Z")
Well, it isn’t really suitable for children. They’d have a tough time sharpening their claws on it. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-baffled-by-this-warning/832703/4 "2019-04-18T04:28:38Z")
> **[Teens are eating food packaging in latest viral challenge](https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/teens-eating-food-packaging-latest-viral-challenge-183314162.html)** > > Months after teens were posting videos of themselves eating Tide Pods, they’ve moved on to another trend that has them biting into banana peels and plastic food wrappers in what’s been dubbed the “shell-on” challenge. The spawn nowadays are not the wisest. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-baffled-by-this-warning/832703/5 "2019-04-18T04:34:45Z")
I can’t quite tell if this is true of yours, but the cardboard scratching inserts I’ve used had sand or something glued to it to help with the claw sharpening action. Chewing on cardboard won’t do much harm to an infant, but chewing on sand could damage teeth. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-baffled-by-this-warning/832703/6 "2019-04-18T05:21:06Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > Well, it isn’t really suitable for children. They’d have a tough time sharpening their claws on it. So then how are we supposed to get their claws sharpened? ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-baffled-by-this-warning/832703/7 "2019-04-18T05:21:10Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Overkill warnings. A lawyer somewhere told them they had to cover all their bases. Yeah. Boring answer but this. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-baffled-by-this-warning/832703/8 "2019-04-18T05:27:45Z")
heh, have you read the warning on yard hoses? I think the last time I bought one for my dog I asked the sdmb if it was safe for me to give him water and bathe him with it cause the warning worried me … … ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-baffled-by-this-warning/832703/9 "2019-04-18T05:47:30Z")
Check out the lovesac warning. Lovesacs are essentially expensive bean bag chairs. [https://images.app.goo.gl/eqZUz1ByQDkA9U288](https://images.app.goo.gl/eqZUz1ByQDkA9U288) ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-baffled-by-this-warning/832703/10 "2019-04-18T06:58:20Z")
> [@Isamu](#): > > So then how are we supposed to get their claws sharpened? Dremel. CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-baffled-by-this-warning/832703/11 "2019-04-18T07:06:26Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > Check out the lovesac warning. Lovesacs are essentially expensive bean bag chairs. > > [https://images.app.goo.gl/eqZUz1ByQDkA9U288](https://images.app.goo.gl/eqZUz1ByQDkA9U288) I wanted one of those things til I read the warning label. Pinged all kinda phobias. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-baffled-by-this-warning/832703/12 "2019-04-18T07:23:15Z")
> [@Isamu](#): > > So then how are we supposed to get their claws sharpened? I’ve had my own kids de-clawed. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-baffled-by-this-warning/832703/13 "2019-04-18T08:27:51Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > …What do you think they’re going to do, attempt to eat it? Bash each other in the head with it? > > … > > No but seriously. I have idea WTF they’re getting at here. You know kids, they might do all sorts of stupid stuff like rubbing sandpaper against each other’s faces or trying to eat it. That’s probably what the manufacturer was getting at. ~Max ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-baffled-by-this-warning/832703/14 "2019-04-18T08:45:26Z")
> [@Max\_S](#): > > {…} like rubbing sandpaper against each other’s faces {…} Hmmm . . . the next Tide challenge, hire that man! CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-baffled-by-this-warning/832703/15 "2019-04-18T09:13:52Z")
Hmm…personally I’d be immediately suspicious that there are chemicals used in the production of this product that border on unacceptable for exposure to children. Like, they know it probably won’t hurt adults but maybe just don’t let the kids handle it? Made in China? I’m going to guess less than strict adherence to fussy American safety standards explains the mystery. ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-baffled-by-this-warning/832703/16 "2019-04-18T10:13:20Z")
It’s just a magic spell that essentially says, ‘if anything bad happens involving this product and a child, you can’t sue us, cause we done told ya!’. Because while there’s maybe nothing conceivable that this thing can do that harms a child, it’s always the inconceivable things that get you, and it costs the company about nothing-point-fuck-all to print that warning. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-baffled-by-this-warning/832703/17 "2019-04-18T11:07:02Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > I’ve had my own kids de-clawed. You have to keep them strictly indoors. Claws are their only defense. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-baffled-by-this-warning/832703/18 "2019-04-18T11:34:44Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > Check out the lovesac warning. Lovesacs are essentially expensive bean bag chairs. > > [https://images.app.goo.gl/eqZUz1ByQDkA9U288](https://images.app.goo.gl/eqZUz1ByQDkA9U288) The LoveSac is a little old place where We can get together! LoveSac babeeeee … LoveSac! ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-baffled-by-this-warning/832703/19 "2019-04-18T12:02:44Z")
Well, of _course_ you don’t want your kids sharpening their fingernails on a _cat_ scratching post. You need to go to **Kids Я Us** and get an approved _children’s_ scratching post. It’s got the right hardness so that they’ll gently abrade away their nails instead of breaking them on the harder cat scratch post. And don’t go trying to save a few bucks by giving the kids Little Friskies treats. You need Kid Kibble like Cheerios. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-baffled-by-this-warning/832703/20 "2019-04-18T14:24:04Z")
> [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](#): > > It’s just a magic spell that essentially says, ‘if anything bad happens involving this product and a child, you can’t sue us, cause we done told ya!’. Because while there’s maybe nothing conceivable that this thing can do that harms a child, it’s always the inconceivable things that get you, and it costs the company about nothing-point-fuck-all to print that warning. And mostly to deter lawsuits from ever happening. Some kid eats that thing and turns into a cat or something there can still be a lawsuit and the company ends up taking it in the neck anyway. Such warnings are pretty easy to sidestep when they’re that vague. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-baffled-by-this-warning/832703.md?page=2)