Making the World Safe

Toilet Brush That Warns "Do Not Use For Personal Hygiene" Wins Top Prize

Visit the recent winners of Michigan Lawsuit Abuse Watch's "Wacky Warning Label context":

Over the past twelve months, M-LAW has received hundreds of labels –- all from products made by American manufacturers -- from people living in many different countries. The winning labels were selected by listeners of the Dick Purtan morning show on Detroit radio station, WOMC-FM from a list of finalists selected by M-LAW. The toilet brush label was found by Ed Gyetvai, of Oldcastle, Ontario. He receives $500 and a copy of the national bestselling book, "The Death of Common Sense," by Philip K. Howard.

Other winning labels warned:

• (on a kids' scooter): “This product moves when used.”
• (on a digital thermometer): “Once used rectally, the thermometer should not be used orally.”
• (on an electric hand blender): “Never remove food or other items from the blades while the product is operating.”*
• (on a 9x3" of air used as packing material): “Do not use this product as a toy, pillow, or flotation device.”

Not that I necessarily agree with any possible unstated premise of this contest, but the stated premise -- that we are idiots -- nobody can contest.*

* Speaking of which, I myself could have wished for the following label on my bread machine: "Do Not Push the Bread Dough Around Impatiently With Your Fingers While The Paddle Is In Motion." Sigh.

UPDATE: I noticed Barefoot Blogging has some more of these.

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