Back in 1992, Stella Liebeck, an elderly woman, bought a cup of coffee from McDonald's, accidentally spilled it on her lap, and ended up suing the company for $3 million. While everyone understands coffee is hot, the court decided McDonald’s should have issued a warning since they knew the coffee was dangerously hot and could cause serious burns.
This case sparked a wave of excessive warnings. Companies don’t add them purely out of safety—they do it to protect themselves from lawsuits when people do foolish things. After all, why else would we need a sign telling us that fire is hot? These over-the-top warnings and absurd instructions really make you question the state of common sense today.
Looks Like A 50/50 Chance
What a pointless use of a label-maker strip. If you're going to label this machine that’s clearly packed with peanuts, why bother adding the word "may"? What are the chances?
Even if something other than peanuts somehow ended up inside, it would have been buried among peanuts for months anyway.
I Wish The Marshmallow Didn't Look So Excited About It
Honestly, I don't think I could bring myself to buy this bag of marshmallows. Marshmallows don’t need any instructions or warnings, yet someone went ahead and added them anyway.
To top it off, there’s an adorable little marshmallow encouraging me to set them on fire. No thanks!
A Poor Man's Washing Instructions
I'm really serious about following washing instructions. Having two different sets of guidelines just stresses me out. I want my clothes to last, but how can I be sure if tumble dry or volcano dry is the way to go?
I might have to survive on ramen for a month, but if it means washing in champagne, I’m all in.
I'll Make Sure To Try Not To Eat A Metal Rod
Although clothes hangers have been part of some risky scenarios before, I never expected anyone to actually try eating one. I can only imagine the person who went through the trouble of grabbing pliers, twisting the metal rod apart, and somehow getting it ready to eat.
If they're willing to go to all that effort, I doubt a warning label like this is going to stop them!
What A Way To Die
I really don't think a sign is necessary to keep people away from a pit full of manure—the stench alone should do the trick. But just in case someone has a stuffy nose, this sign spells it out loud and clear: falling in would be a truly unpleasant way to go.
So I Can Only Smoke If I Enter The Left Door?
It seems like whoever put up these signs was torn between following company rules and keeping the boss happy. Official policy says no smoking, but we're guessing the manager gets cranky without that mid-day cigarette break.
In trying to keep everyone satisfied, they’ve only managed to confuse the rest of us.
Maybe They're Old Pet Rocks
Unless the "artifacts" happen to be newborn kittens—at which point I'd be even more tempted to touch the glass—what’s the big deal? Are these sensitive, emotionally fragile Pet Rocks from the ’80s? If we’re just talking about arrowheads and fossils, they’re not likely to get spooked.
Honestly, this sign probably wasn’t made for the protection of the items—it was likely the janitor’s way of begging people to stop leaving smudgy fingerprints for them to clean every night.
I Thought Washing The Child At The Same Time Was Like Killing Two Birds With One Stone
Well, this warning label certainly came just in time! I always thought that washing the child with the shirt might be a clever shortcut to avoid bath time. In hindsight, though, throwing a toddler in the washing machine wasn't exactly the brightest parenting moment.
Thankfully, this warning label is here to make me reconsider my life choices!
Who Is Expecting A Hot Dog That Size?
The most frustrating part about this sign is knowing someone must've actually shown up expecting a ten-foot hot dog after seeing the image. Honestly, I'd be all for a giant hot dog for fifty cents, too, but who on earth thought that was a reasonable expectation? The fact that they had to put the "not actual size" disclaimer just goes to show how little faith we have in people's common sense!
This Is News To Me
Kudos to the restaurant that thought a fire pit would add to the ambiance but also knew better than to let things get out of hand. They went all out with a sign that bluntly reminds us that fire is, in fact, hot, and to top it off, they've surrounded the pit with a solid three-foot metal fence. No accidents or lawsuits happening here on their watch!
This Feels Like A Threat
I don't know if I'm taking this sign a little too personally, but it feels like someone is personally threatening me with death if I don't recycle. It feels like I stumbled onto a crazy environmentalist's personal trash stash. Whatever their reasoning, it worked. I'll even make sure to sort it right.
Now I'm Just Walking In Circles
I want to think this is an innocent mistake, but this is definitely a sign that's meant to confuse you on purpose. I bet the business behind is committing tax fraud.
They legally need to be open, but they want to deter as many customers as possible.
Do Men Really Need This Much Help To Pee?
This sign with very detailed examples of how to use the washroom was found in Victoria, Australia. I'm not sure what people are doing down under, but squatting beside a toilet doesn't fly in America.
Maybe the U.S. should get a few of these signs just for the Australian tourists.
I Don't Need Instructions To Do This
Music is meant to fill the heart and soul, so it makes sense why there is so much emotion attached to the instructions. But let's be honest. I didn't need to be told this. A true brooding artist will live every day with intense sadness. It's not a phase, mom. It's a lifestyle.
Because A Danger Sign Isn't Enough To Scare Us Anymore
Danger signs are just so common that most of us don't even take them seriously now. It's like they're asking us to push the big red button that says "Do Not Push."
At least this sign got a little more detailed about just how dangerous it is. After reading this, I know to move on to another dangerous item that will result in a less painful death.
Is Tax Included?
California has been ravaged by wildfires, so they're not taking any chances. Not only is smoking and fires prohibited, but they've even laid out a detailed fine for you. I hope the $541 has taxes included, because anything more won't fit in my monthly bonfire budget.
The Warning That Started It All
It may have been McDonald's that had to deal with the original lawsuit, but they're not alone. In 2017, a woman was awarded $100,000 by a jury because of a faulty Starbucks lid.
You didn't hear this from me, but if you have student debt to pay off, just find a coffee shop without a warning label.
I Guess I'll Rob Another Transport Truck
What's the story behind this sign? You just know it exists because someone actually attempted to rob a Chipotle delivery truck thinking it was packed with burritos. Who’s willing to risk a felony charge over a wrap?
Clearly, the person who prompted this sign just dreamed of a world where guac didn’t cost extra—and went way too far trying to make it happen.
How Many Times Did This Have To Happen Before They Needed To Warn About It?
I get it—shopping with young kids can be one of the most chaotic parts of a parent's week. It might seem convenient to plop them into the mesh tote on your shopping cart.
But after little Timmy downed too many chicken nuggets, tore through the mesh, and got caught in the Black Friday stampede, the store decided it was time to put up a sign reminding folks to parent a little more responsibly.