The winner of the 15th annual Wacky Warning Labels Contest, sponsored by the Center for America, have been announced, which highlight absured, self-obvious labels that manufacturers think are necessary in our litigious society. The winners:
- Grand Prize -- "These globes should not be referred to for
navigation." -- from a 7-inch decorative globe - Second Prize - "Never use while sleeping." - from an electric
razor for men - Third Prize - "Keep product away from infants and children." - from a neck pillow marketed for children
Other finalists included: "Never use this product while driving," from a
laptop steering wheel desk, and "Caution: Griddle surface may be hot during and after cooking," from the instructions for an electric skiller.
Contest creator Bob Dorigo Jones, author of Remove Child Before Folding: The 101 Stupidest, Silliest and Wackiest Warning Labels Ever, says, "We've been tracking a growing trend this year -- changes in consumer behavior as a result of scary labels. Whether it be 'risk of fire' warnings on a heating pad that causes an elderly woman to forego the product, or worse, when people stop taking physician-prescribed medication because they fear the warnings, changes
in consumer behavior have both economic and serious quality of life results."
