# "Safety features" that impede functionality **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 1, 2011, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safety-features-that-impede-functionality/583955 "2011-06-01T14:13:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safety-features-that-impede-functionality/583955/101 "2011-06-03T18:43:16Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > For the non-OTC meds, have you asked at the pharmacy? I recall that snap caps were an available option 'round these parts at one time—just ask! I have never thought of that. I’ll look into it next time I’m there. > [@WhyNot](#): > > **Cat Whisperer** …check it out: > > [How to make Evil Childproof caps easy to open](http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-Evil-Childproof-caps-easy-to-open/) > > Don’t sue me. 😉 Thanks! I’ll see if I can get my Pepto working properly - it varies between not being closed and being closed so tight I can’t open it. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safety-features-that-impede-functionality/583955/102 "2011-06-03T19:28:44Z")
> [@2gigch1](#): > > Now if we could get one that vaporizes clippings instead of bags them I would be golden, but that hasn’t hit the shelves yet. I have a self-mulching mower that comes pretty near to vaporization. I run it over sticks, leaves, pinecones, whatever, and it leaves only small amounts of squishy green residue behind, like a mechanical bunny. It doesn’t do too well with dog crap though, and cleaning out wads of crap from the mulch vent is a messy hassle. ---
**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safety-features-that-impede-functionality/583955/103 "2011-06-04T01:24:41Z")
I generally like safety features… the one about the keys + open car door is more of a reminder than anything. I keep meaning to check if it’s possible to disable it. > [@kushiel](#): > > My car has a safety feature that automatically locks the back doors and they cannot be opened from the inside by the door handle - you have to press the ‘unlock’ button in the front seat. There’s normally a switch on the door frame that you can only access when the door is open to change this. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safety-features-that-impede-functionality/583955/104 "2011-06-05T00:54:04Z")
Seat belt dingers piss me off as well. In my Ford pickup, it was as simple as unplugging a wire under the driver’s seat connected to the female end of the belt clip. On my mower, it was easy to just short out the dead man switch by connecting the wire. And seriously, we aren’t allowed to drink while doing yard work anymore? I mean, first we can’t drive shit-faced: agreed. Then we can’t have one drink while driving: don’t agree. And now we can’t even drink at home? In the hot sun while working outside? Bah… ---
**Author:** ![Daylate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9dc877/32.png) [@Daylate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daylate)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safety-features-that-impede-functionality/583955/105 "2011-06-05T01:06:47Z")
Just thought of another one. Was power washing my 400 S.F. driveway today, and decided I was getting very tired of the amount of hard hand squeezing necessary to keep the wand working. After about five minutes you’ve got to change hands as the one you had been using is starting to cramp. Then I remembered a roll of \*\*\*DUCT TAPE \*\*\* (the Handyman’s secret weapon) that was in the garage. A wonderful tool, duct tape! Made the remainder of the washing a breeze. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safety-features-that-impede-functionality/583955/106 "2011-06-05T01:16:07Z")
> [@Nanoda](#): > > I generally like safety features… the one about the keys + open car door is more of a reminder than anything. I keep meaning to check if it’s possible to disable it. > There’s normally a switch on the door frame that you can only access when the door is open to change this. Yip. It’s called Child Safety Lock and is really only for use if you have small children that might accidentally open the door, Usually they are not on by default. If you didn’t buy it new, that could be the reason. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safety-features-that-impede-functionality/583955/107 "2011-06-05T01:51:39Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Well, I can tell you that opening a bottle with a safety cap one handed because your other hand is in a cast and while you are screaming in agony is not one of life’s better experiences. Annie, you seem to have had more problems with your cast than most people have ever had. When my arm was in a cast and I needed child-caps opened, I used my other hand. It was more difficult. and usually required me placing the bottle in between my thighs, but it was doable, because child caps actually aren’t that difficult physically if you have one fully-usable hand. > [@kayaker](#): > > But, when we were seriously considering getting goats a big part of it was taste. I’ll eat goat of any age. Sheep are a different story. I love lamb, but not mutton. Then my gf started thinking about the actual process of slaughtering lambs or taking them to be slaughtered and that was the end of that discussion. I assume the sheep comment was as joke - it’d cost a lot to get any goats or sheep slaughtered. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2011, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safety-features-that-impede-functionality/583955/108 "2011-06-05T01:56:25Z")
Here’s my question: why is the dead man’s switch on a lawnmower without a power assist? And why in the world would they not put a stupid brake on them if they are worried about them running off? Oh, and you know how you move something in front of a lawnmower? You turn the mower away from where you are going, or mow around it, picking it up as you go. But you still might have to let go of the stupid thing. I’ve used the wire technique, my dad used it, and everyone I know uses it. The only people who don’t use it are people who are so safety conscious that they probably don’t need it. The one thing I will not do is let my life be governed by fear if I can help it. Condemn me all you want. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safety-features-that-impede-functionality/583955/109 "2011-06-06T13:34:52Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > And seriously, we aren’t allowed to drink while doing yard work anymore? I mean, first we can’t drive shit-faced: agreed. Then we can’t have one drink while driving: don’t agree. And now we can’t even drink at home? In the hot sun while working outside? Bah… QFT. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safety-features-that-impede-functionality/583955/110 "2011-06-06T13:46:47Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > The one thing I will not do is let my life be governed by fear if I can help it. Condemn me all you want. I’m not condemning, but I will point out that children playing on a superhighway are _also_ not letting their lives be governed by fear. “I will not let my life be governed by fear” can be invoked while taking either sensible or crazy risks. And all the people making truly stupidly risky decisions _think_ they’ve objectively assessed the risks. How to know if you yourself have a good handle on how risky something is ? I recommend getting some opinions from others. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safety-features-that-impede-functionality/583955/111 "2011-06-06T14:18:09Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I’ve used the wire technique, my dad used it, and everyone I know uses it. The only people who don’t use it are people who are so safety conscious that they probably don’t need it. > . Now thats irony right there. You do realize what that statement implies don’t you? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safety-features-that-impede-functionality/583955.md?page=5)