I was idly perusing a product label (some are miniature masterpieces of prose), when I came across this:
At first glance, I put it down as a classic case of over-protect. Like those labels on bags of nuts that say ‘Warning: May contain nuts’. I assumed that this was just in case someone put the pencil in their mouth and choked on it (then sued the shop for not telling them they shouldn’t).
However, a more sinister possibility struck me. Could it be saying that the paint on the pencil wasn’t ideal to consume? If so, it’s a bit worrying. Putting a label on a pencil saying ‘do not place in mouth’ is a bit like putting a label on a sock saying ‘do not place on foot’. Okay, it’s not the designated use for a pencil, where most people do buy socks with the specific intent of sticking them on their feet. But still the fact remains, many normal human beings will at some point suck a pencil or pen.
Generally speaking, I think warning labels fall in the same category as instruction manuals – if you need them, then you have failed in your product design. The product itself should demonstrate how it is used (if necessary with some safe experimentation). If you feel the need to label a pencil saying not to put it in your mouth then it’s time to redesign the pencil.