Who Needs Instructions? Or Warnings?

Who really reads the instructions? Ever really look at the warning labels? Maybe it is me, but when I order a “hot” coffee – I would hope that it would be hot! What has this world come to – that we have to have warnings for everything that common sense should apply? Have we become a society that we have to have pages of warning to protect the company that manufacturers or produces the product? I have a copy of more questions. Are we that stupid that we need to have every potential items spelled out? Does anyone really read them?

I did something the other day that was just out of character, I read one. It was for a Remington Hot Roller product. Why read that one? Random test and it happened to be around. Below is what was in the IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS:

DANGER (To reduce the risk of electric shock)

• Always unplug this appliance from the electrical outlet immediately after using. I guess that one can make sense, since there is no timer on the device
• Do not use while bathing or in the shower. Now this one is pretty good. Stupid consumer warning – electricity and water do not mix. Or have people really done this?
• Do not place or store this appliance where it can fall or be pulled into a tub or sink. We should know this too..
• Do not place or drop into water or other liquid. Now we have written it 3 times. Electricity and water – bad.
• Do not reach for an appliance that has fallen into water. Unplug it immediately.
• Unplug this appliance before cleaning it. Especially sent the cleaning instructions have you using a damp cloth to clean.

WARNING (To reduce risk of burns, fire, electric shock or injury to persons:)

• This appliance is for household use only. Not sure what else a hot roller set could be used for, but there probably are some very creative uses, that just don’t come to me.
• An appliance should never be left unattended when plugged in, except when charging a rechargeable appliance. Definitely a generic statement, as this one is not rechargeable.
• Close supervision is necessary when this appliance is used by, on, or near children or individuals with certain disabilities or special needs. I have too  many ways to go with this statement.
• Use this appliance only for its intended use as described in this manual. Do not use attachments not recommended by manufacturer. You would have to read the complete manual to understand that this is for curling hair only? Oh well… Reading is good.
• Never operate this appliance if it has a damaged cord or plug. If it is not working properly; if it has been dropped, damaged, or dropped into water. Makes sense.. but we have our 5th reminder about water.
• Keep the cord away from heated surfaces.
• Do not wrap the cord around the appliance. Bold-ed, probably due to the likelihood that it will happen. What else to do with cord?
• Never use while sleeping. To me, don’t use when sleeping comes in to different flavors. Don’t use the curlers while sleeping… Ok that makes sense. If you are sleeping and want to use this – how could you?
• Never drop or inset any object into any of the appliance’s openings.
• Do not use outdoors or operate where aerosol (spray) products are being used or where oxygen is being administered. Nice reminder for keep the hair spray away from the appliance.
• Do not touch the posts that hold the rollers. They are hot. Hence hot rollers..
• Keep lid open when heating rollers. This must have happened a couple of times, where the lid was melted due to the heat of the posts that are warming up the rollers, so you can curl your hair.

From now on, I plan on looking at the instructions for a couple of reason. First of all, everyone should read them for proper use and care of the products. That is a given! The second is for me to just look at the statements that have to be added for safety. Safety of hurting one’s self and the safety of the manufacturer or provider from getting sued. Where has common sense gone?