# Really silly warnings that manufacturers put on products because they might get sued **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 30, 2001, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944 "2001-05-30T01:57:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eada6e/32.png) [@aha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aha)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2001, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/1 "2001-05-30T01:57:28Z")
I just looked down at my computer keyboard for the 1000th or so time and for the 1000th or so I have seen this label. WARNING: Some experts believe that the use of any keyboard may cause serious injury. Consult statement on back of this keyboard. Of course this is the corporeal tunnel syndrome warning that companies are now afraid they could be sued for. ( ahhh geezz I think my wrist is hurting even now.) ok if you have the syndrome I ain’t making fun of you but this warning seems a bit silly to me. Anybody else got any ridiculous product warnings? ---
**Author:** ![Tommy\_the\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Tommy\_the\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tommy_the_Cat)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2001, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/2 "2001-05-30T02:03:06Z")
There’s a warning on the back of the sun visor in my car about the seat belts. At the bottom of this warning, there is yet another warning “Do not read this warning while driving.” Gee, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Tricia\_Valentine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9a140/32.png) [@Tricia\_Valentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tricia_Valentine)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2001, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/3 "2001-05-30T02:06:59Z")
The instructions on toothpicks are kinda stupid. (Hence Wonko the Sane…) but warning tags- the tag on blowdryers that says “Do not use while in sleep.” The pathetic part is obviously somebody _tried_ it… Oh yah, and the warning on McDonald’s coffee due to some silly old lady (no offense intended, but geez!)… “Warning: Coffee may be hot”… DUH! ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2001, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/4 "2001-05-30T02:17:38Z")
Re: My sig … found on the box of a Superhero halloween costume. ---
**Author:** ![south333](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@south333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/south333)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2001, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/5 "2001-05-30T02:22:27Z")
how bout that warning on hair dryers that says do not use in bathtub? > [@](#): > > Oh yah, and the warning on McDonald’s coffee due to some silly old lady (no offense intended, but geez!)… “Warning: Coffee may be hot”… I can’t wait until they have to put little warnings on sundaes at Dairy Queen “Warning contents may be cold”. ---
**Author:** ![AndYrAStar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8edcca/32.png) [@AndYrAStar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndYrAStar)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2001, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/6 "2001-05-30T02:29:01Z")
On my epson ink cartridge: “CAUTION: keep out of reach of children, and **do not drink.** ” …ooook. ---
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2001, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/7 "2001-05-30T02:53:52Z")
Warnings on chainsaws advising the operator NOT to stop the chain with one’s hands. I shudder to think what made this warning necessary. ---
**Author:** ![SkullScrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8491ac/32.png) [@SkullScrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkullScrew)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2001, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/8 "2001-05-30T04:05:31Z")
My own personal favorite? It comes on an Alka Seltzer box. “Dissolve in water before taking.” Can you imagine the poor boob that popped one in his mouth and chewed, with no clue as to what would happen? Eye opening experience, I would think. Also. Dissolve in WATER? Why? If you put one in a glass of Coke, does Russia go Defcon one? Do they call out the EPA? It’s my first post. Have pity on me. And fear the followups. ---
**Author:** ![Sterra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@Sterra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sterra)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2001, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/9 "2001-05-30T04:15:27Z")
> [@](#): > > Warnings on chainsaws advising the operator NOT to stop the chain with one’s hands. > > I shudder to think what made this warning necessary. You obviously haven’t seen the swedish one(do not stop with hands or genitals) ---
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2001, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/10 "2001-05-30T04:18:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Asmodean \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > Warnings on chainsaws advising the operator NOT to stop the chain with one’s hands. > > You obviously haven’t seen the swedish one(do not stop with hands or genitals) \*\* AUGGH!! What the hell?! That is absolutely the worst warning ever! I can’t even imagine the incident that necessited that! SVEN: Hey Inga, watch what I can do! INGA: No, Sven, no! SVEN: AARRRGGGHH!!! Why the hell aren’t there warnings for this?!! Oh my GOD! ---
**Author:** ![JadedNaive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/59ef9b/32.png) [@JadedNaive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JadedNaive)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2001, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/11 "2001-05-30T05:18:26Z")
Seen on a microwave at an iceskating rink: Caution: Contents may be hot after use. Ya think?? Also, I’ve noticed that a lot of frozen microwavable food has warnings that it may be hot after heating. As to the warning not to stop a chainsaw with the hands or genitals, does that mean it’s okay to stop it with other body parts? If some doofus decided to stop the chainsaw with her head, could her relatives sue? ---
**Author:** ![BigGiantHead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b4bc9f/32.png) [@BigGiantHead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigGiantHead)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2001, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/12 "2001-05-30T05:32:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JadedNaive \* > **…Also, I’ve noticed that a lot of frozen microwavable food has warnings that it may be hot after heating.** Y’know, the first two times I read this, I SWORE it said “may be hot after _eating._” That, of course, left me wondering, “How would they know?” Do they get test subjects to eat the stuff, and then jam long-reach RTD probes down their esophagus to measure the stuff while it’s in their gut? Heaven forbid, do they come at it _the other way?!?!_ :eek: My personal faves in this arena are the ones on the back of a bottle of tequila (or the like). If anything, I think these lean towards understatement. Yeah, yeah, birth defects, heavy machinery … let’s talk about how you’re going to ACT, and all the s\*\*t you’re going to regret you ever SAID. Come on! ---
**Author:** ![eirroc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f1d935/32.png) [@eirroc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eirroc)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2001, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/13 "2001-05-30T07:11:06Z")
I’ve just bought a new car, and this made me laugh, “do not remove or install sunroof whilst in motion” Damn! When else am I going to do it? ---
**Author:** ![messiah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3e96dc/32.png) [@messiah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/messiah)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2001, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/14 "2001-05-30T07:23:17Z")
packet of cashews recently purchased warning: “may contain nuts” I bloody hope so! ---
**Author:** ![Whammo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8dc957/32.png) [@Whammo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whammo)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2001, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/15 "2001-05-30T07:39:05Z")
_LOL_ Jack Batty (BTW didn’t know thats where you sig came from, thats priceless), Crunchy Frog and Asmodeon methinks are lying. _LOL_ Please tell me you’re lying!! ---
**Author:** ![1kBR\_Kid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/dc4da7/32.png) [@1kBR\_Kid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/1kBR_Kid)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2001, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/16 "2001-05-30T10:40:16Z")
Well, these aren’t really ON the product, but…🙂 I was in the US Army. I was a crewmember in an M1A1 Abrams tank. The Technical Manual for Army vehicle includes the most basic instructions imaginable. For “Entering Loader’s Hatch” it adds “always enter feet first”. Fron the hatch to the turret floor, it’s about a 5 1/2 foot drop. I shudder at the thought of someone diving in. The TM for the Humvee tells operatores to “check for presence and inflation of tires” before driving. Ugh. It’s hard to imagine someone just thinking of these two scenarios out of the blue. Did someone really dive into the turret? Drive off with only 3 wheels/tires??? (I don’t want to contribute to the vast pool of Urban Legends. I have no idea if it happened) ---
**Author:** ![Spritle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Spritle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spritle)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2001, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/17 "2001-05-30T11:49:16Z")
As suggested, most of these come from lawsuits. One that comes to mind was ther person who jammed a screwdriver through his hand while trying to open a can of paint. In court, it was argued that the screwdriver tip broke off causing it to slip and the resulting sharp edge skewered the dude’s hand. Corporate defense was that the screwdriver was not used for its intended purpose. Screwdrivers are made and tested for torsional strength - twisting - not prying. Because the person misused the tool, the company was not liable. Plaintiff rebuttal was that the EVERYONE uses screwdrivers to pry open paint cans, thus the corporation should have anticipated this and made screwdrivers that would not break with prying. Guess what… court found in favor of the plaintiff. Guess what warning comes with screwdrivers now. An obvious case of “Save me from myself!” ---
**Author:** ![aha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eada6e/32.png) [@aha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aha)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2001, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/18 "2001-05-30T12:26:51Z")
I think they should put a warning label on Crown Royal Whisky: May lead to sex. ---
**Author:** ![Rockwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c0e974/32.png) [@Rockwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rockwell)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2001, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/19 "2001-05-30T12:56:05Z")
From the warning label on the sides of various fireworks - “Do not place in mouth” ---
**Author:** ![missdavis102](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7feea3/32.png) [@missdavis102](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missdavis102)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2001, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/20 "2001-05-30T13:11:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SkullScrew \* > \*\*If you put one in a glass of Coke, does Russia go Defcon one? \*\* I just wanted to say that’s damn funny! Also, what about those frozen desserts with the note on the underside of the packaging that says “Do Not Invert”? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944.md?page=2)