# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2022, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/101 "2022-11-01T19:32:30Z")
From the chemical laboratory: On isopropyl alcohol, “In case of skin contact seek medical attention” On Borden’s skin cream, “Avoid prolonged contact” On water, “Wear bodily protection” ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2022, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/102 "2022-11-01T19:54:24Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > STEALING FROM THE MAIL AS A POSTAL WORKER IS A FELONY STEAL ME would be more concise. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2022, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/103 "2022-11-04T22:54:11Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > I work for the Postal Service and we will get mail with visible money in it from organizations and the organization will put these huge red stickers on it saying STEALING FROM THE MAIL AS A POSTAL WORKER IS A FELONY and lists the crime code. Ok, I gotta ask: Which organizations are sending large amounts of cash through the mail? ---
**Author:** ![slash2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@slash2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slash2k)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2022, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/104 "2022-11-04T23:10:22Z")
Not large amounts, but for example Nielsen (the TV ratings people) will send $5 in cash to people who answer a survey. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2022, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/105 "2022-11-04T23:16:36Z")
Ah ha. I see. I have gotten such surveys. Used to be a buck now it’s 5. Never seen anything on the outside that indicates there is money in the envelope. Putting those warnings on then is idiotic, and fits right into this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2022, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/106 "2022-11-04T23:21:09Z")
One of my co-workers got a bad nosebleed at work. I gave her a tampon to at least hold it at bay until she could get to a doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2022, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/107 "2022-11-05T03:51:42Z")
> [@slash2k](#): > > Nielsen (the TV ratings people) will send $5 in cash to people who answer a survey. Must have gone up. I got a Ten-spot a couple months ago. I was actually shocked that it showed up as promised. Got a dollar in the survey, so I’m good for $11 bucks! Nice thread of “Posters no longer on the board”, by the way. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2022, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/108 "2022-11-05T17:42:50Z")
Seen under the oblong hole on the end of a box of oranges. “Holes for inspection of contents only.” Because heaven forbid that someone would use the holes to pick up the box only for it to tear out causing the box to fall on their foot. ---
**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:** [November 5, 2022, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/109 "2022-11-05T17:46:48Z")
> [@Dr.Girlfriend](#): > > One of my co-workers got a bad nosebleed at work. I gave her a tampon to at least hold it at bay until she could get to a doctor. - I have both tampons and menstrual pads in my first aid kit. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2022, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/110 "2022-11-06T17:05:28Z")
The period ship has sailed for me, but I still keep a few in my purse in case I’m out in public and someone hollers, “Does anyone have a pad?” It’s happened a couple of times. One thing I learned in pharmacy school was to always tell people who were getting suppositories to unwrap them before use. There are also reasons why, for instance, liquid antibiotics always say “Take XYZ amount BY MOUTH…” because one would be surprised at how many parents would pour it into the child’s ear. And regarding the warning about babies and garage doors: ISTR a story about someone who left a baby in a car seat under an open garage door, and the door closed on the baby and seriously injured or killed it. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2022, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/111 "2022-11-07T18:43:10Z")
> [@Bootb](#): > > > [@JadedNaive](#): > > > > Also, I’ve noticed that a lot of frozen microwavable food has warnings that it may be hot after heating. > > That one is not **entirely** frivolous. Some types of food heat unevenly, so that part of the food is warm, whereas 2 inches away it’s practically boiling. Isn’t that the reason for the instruction to wait a minute or two after nuking it? Gives it time for the hot part to warm up the cold, and for the cold part to cool down the hot, thus making the temperature more or less even throughout. ---
**Author:** ![mundylion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundylion/32/3604_2.png) [@mundylion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mundylion)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2022, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/112 "2022-12-19T22:08:27Z")
I’ve played Klondike solitaire all my life, learned by watching all my elders playing it. Not much else to do in the pre-tv, computer game days. Anyway, I really enjoyed Microsofts Solitaire which I think was on every PC tney have ever made since the advent of Windows. I was disturbed when they started letting one win as now I sometimes feel that if I am winning or do win that they have ‘cheated’ for me. But all companies seem to do this now. The most recent version of the game I have lets one play in six different modes, titled from 'Easy" to “Grandmaster” and then finally, Random. And now a notice has popped up at the bottom “\*Random decks might be unsolvable.” Probably not intended to fend off a lawsuit but to keep people from crying that “Maybe it’s defective, I didn’t win!” Grow up, kid. You almost never win at one card deal Klondike, once through the deck. I find I win about 2 times out of a hundred tries. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2022, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/113 "2022-12-19T22:45:50Z")
That’s one of my all time favorite LtBs. You can’t read this complaint aloud with a straight face. > 1. [Defendant] also owed plaintiff … a duty of care not to drink under age, or to fire bottle rockets out of his anus. > > 2. [Defendant] breached this duty when he both drank under age … and attempted to fire a bottle rocket out of his anus while under the influence. The act of firing a bottle rocket, within Huntington City Limits, was also a crime. > > 3. Plaintiff asserts that the activity of underaged drinking and firing bottle rockets out of one’s own anus constitutes an “ultra-hazardous” activity which exposes both of these defendant to strict liability. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2022, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/114 "2022-12-19T23:21:31Z")
It is a good one, isn’t it? It has a lot of competition at LtB, though. If you type ‘idiot’ into their search field, you get six pages of posts. Not to mention court documents partially done in Klingon. ---
**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:** [December 19, 2022, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/115 "2022-12-19T23:22:13Z")
I once had a pair of racing driver gloves that actually had the warning “Racing is dangerous and can cause death” on them. The company added them to their items after having been a defendant in a wrongful death lawsuit. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/116 "2022-12-20T01:18:34Z")
Yes surveys will put a $5 bill I noticed in a large envelope, or it’s one of those “We’re sending you $1 bill in the hopes you’ll return it and make a donation of your own” charity things. They put the warnings for postal employees specifically because we see so many of them we eventually catch on there’s cash inside when one rips in the machine and some bills fall out. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2022, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/117 "2022-12-21T04:32:08Z")
I heard that Dyson air dryers have a drawing of a penis with a no-parking symbol over it, indicating (presumably) that men should not use these things to dry their genitalia. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2022, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/118 "2022-12-21T04:50:43Z")
And yet under Federal Law the USPS cannot be sued if their workers steal from the mail. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2022, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/119 "2022-12-21T19:25:17Z")
Can Fed Ex , UPS etc be sued if their employees steal packages? I couldn’t find any examples of them being sued although there were plenty of their employees being arrested for theft. Sure, nobody would bother suing Fed Ex/ UPS because their employee stole an item worth $200 - but some of these cases involved thousands of dollars worth of packages being stolen from a single recipient/shipper and if the was a lawsuit over one of them , it would make news coverage somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2022, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944/120 "2022-12-21T20:24:35Z")
You can tell lawyers were involved in _this_ product’s advertising: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/GmqeZl8OI2M/maxresdefault.jpg "Happy Fun Ball - SNL") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmqeZl8OI2M) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-warnings-that-manufacturers-put-on-products-because-they-might-get-sued/66944.md?page=7)