Warning Labels and Warning Signs Don`t Warn

Released on = December 15, 2005, 5:06 am

Press Release Author = The Law Office of Gerald M. Oginski, LLC

Industry = Consumer Services

Press Release Summary = How many times do you hear warnings about what you should
and shouldn\'t do? After looking at warning labels and signs all day, we become
desensitized to the warnings and they lose their importance.

Press Release Body = Warning Labels and Warning Signs Don\'t Warn

How many times do you hear warnings about what you should and shouldn\'t do? After
looking at warning labels and signs all day, we become desensitized to the warnings
and they lose their importance.

Walking in the airport we see signs saying \"Hold handrail while going up escalator.\"
At the ice skating rink we see signs that say \"Slippery, use caution.\" On our
medication bottles we read \"Warning-may cause harm if not taken as directed.\" On our
laptop computers, cell phones, and digital cameras we see signs on the batteries
that say \"Warning-do not dispose in open fire.\"

What are these warnings supposed to do? Warn us of dangers to specific activity.
Does it work? Maybe. Then again, maybe not. Think about the last time you really
paid attention to such a warning. Did you read the fine print when you were given a
prescription bottle- the entire warning packet? Admit it- if you\'re like most
people, you didn\'t.

Or, how about this one, \"Warning, don\'t operate heavy machinery if taking narcotic
sedatives.\"

Why are these warnings necessary? Mainly because some folks don\'t use their common
sense when going about their daily lives. Almost each warning we see and hear about
arises from some incident involving someone who got hurt by not being careful.

\"Don\'t drink the gasoline if you are siphoning gas from one tank to another.\"

Do we really need all these warnings? Does the warning above really alert us to the
inherent dangers associated with drinking gasoline? Isn\'t it common sense not to
drink gasoline? I\'d like to think so, but some would disagree.

The other day there was a horrible tragedy involving an 8 year old boy from Queens,
New York, who was playing with a barbeque lighter in his home. You know what
happened. He thought it was a toy and was making little fires under his bed. Three
of his brothers died along with his grandfather. All because he thought the lighter
was a toy.

Do you really think a warning that said \"Danger- keep away from children,\" would
have prevented this tragedy? Unlikely. Or this warning, \"Danger, don\'t touch open
flame, you could get burned.\"

Unfortunately, warnings do not replace common sense. It also goes without saying
that nothing replaces constant vigilance of your children. Veteran New York personal
injury attorney Gerry Oginski recently observed a sign at a hotel that said \"There
is no substitute for parental supervision.\"

\"The warnings that we see every day don\'t have much significance when we\'re
inundated with them from every direction. We become desensitized to the dangers and
warnings in our daily lives,\" notes Gerry Oginski. Paying close attention to our
kids and our own actions helps minimize the dangers we face in our lives every day.
So be careful this holiday season.

Web Site = http://www.oginski-law.com

Contact Details = Gerry Oginski

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