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mark occomore
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK
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 Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 4:51 pm Post subject: Washing Machine Label Won Award |
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A washing machine complete with a warning not to put anybody inside has been given an award for the "wackiest warning" by a US lobby group.
The Michigan Lawsuit Abuse Watch says the tendency of Americans to sue companies has gone too far, encouraging absurd warning labels on products.
But others say warning labels can play a role in protecting the public.
An engine manufacturer which warned "Never use a lit match or open flame to check fuel level" won second prize.
Excessive litigation
Warnings not to dry wet mobile phones in microwave ovens and not to iron lottery tickets tied for third place.
Honourable mentions went to a phonebook which advised: "Please do not use this directory while operating a moving vehicle".
The Michigan Lawsuit Abuse Watch (M-Law) is campaigning to cut down on what it considers the harmful effects of excessive litigation in the United States.
The winning labels were selected by listeners of a Detroit radio station from a list compiled by M-Law.
The group began the Wacky Warning Labels contest 10 years ago as part of its campaign to have "common sense warnings on products", M-Law says on its website.
But a spokesperson from the washing machine maker whose label bagged top prize, said its warning is valid.
"A front loader (washing machine) is just at the right height - speaking now as a mother and not a corporate spokeswoman - for a four-year-old," said Patti Andresen Shew of Alliance Laundry Systems.
She said other companies had been sued after small children had climbed into washing machines which had then been started. |
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mark occomore
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK
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| Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 4:54 pm Post subject: |
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John W
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 3367
Location: Warwickshire, UK
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| Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:11 pm Post subject: Re: Washing Machine Label Won Award |
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| mark occomore wrote: | | She said other companies had been sued after small children had climbed into washing machines which had then been started. |
That's the issue Mark. Nobody laughs at labels on cigarette packets saying they can kill. Washing machines can kill too. If you tell people then they won't sue you if what they did was their own stupid fault (in this case not supervising a child in the utility room or kitchen).
The fella who owns that killer dog is in deep do-do. It might not be a pure pit bull terrier but he was told by police before that it was a dangerous dog.
John W |
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gfloyd
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 4861
Location: Here, There, Everywhere.
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| Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:19 pm Post subject: |
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Whenever companies try to make instructions idiot proof, nature responds by creating a bigger idiot.
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His name was ernie ........ and he drove the fastest milk cart in the west..... |
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Cherskiy
Joined: 08 Dec 2006
Posts: 3701
Location: near Amble, Northumberland
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| Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:59 pm Post subject: |
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Remember the "Stella Awards"?
Not sure if the winner was an urban legend or not, but it made me laugh....
"This year's runaway winner was Mr. Merv Grazinski of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Mr. Grazinski purchased a brand new Winnebago Motor home. On his trip home from an OU football game, having driven onto the freeway, he set the cruise control at 70 mph and calmly left the driver's seat to go into the back and make himself a cup of coffee. Not surprisingly the RV left the freeway, crashed and overturned. Mr. Grazinski sued Winnebago for not advising him in the owner's manual that he could not actually leave the vehicle to its own devices whilst on cruise control. The jury awarded him $1,750,000 plus a new Winnebago motorhome. The company actually changed their manuals on the basis of this suit just in case there were any other complete morons buying their recreational vehicles...." 
I still like the one about the guy with the sun bed, the helium balloons and the shotgun best, though.... 
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Author: “To the Ends of the Earth: A Snapshot of Aviation in North-Eastern Siberia, Summer 1992”
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mark occomore
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK
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| Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 10:23 am Post subject: |
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| gfloyd wrote: | | Whenever companies try to make instructions idiot proof, nature responds by creating a bigger idiot. |
Catch this hand  |
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nod
Joined: 24 Dec 2006
Posts: 3558
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| Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 11:10 am Post subject: Re: Washing Machine Label Won Award |
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| John W wrote: |
The fella who owns that killer dog is in deep do-do. It might not be a pure pit bull terrier but he was told by police before that it was a dangerous dog.
John W |
I would imagine not, all he needs to say is he bought it off a man in the pub, that seems to get you off anything.
...and I think I heard the police only told the council dog controller who sent a letter (or two). Laws just don't get to be implemented these days.  |
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Lord Evan Elpuss
Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 3415
Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land
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| Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 12:56 pm Post subject: Re: Washing Machine Label Won Award |
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| nod wrote: | | John W wrote: |
The fella who owns that killer dog is in deep do-do. It might not be a pure pit bull terrier but he was told by police before that it was a dangerous dog.
John W |
I would imagine not, all he needs to say is he bought it off a man in the pub, that seems to get you off anything.
...and I think I heard the police only told the council dog controller who sent a letter (or two). Laws just don't get to be implemented these days. |
Perhaps it is time to bring back the dog licence. |
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