How often do we stop to really read the signs and warnings that we see in everyday life? Because of the cost of insurance that businesses have to pay, they have had to be very inventive with warnings on their products.

Some of the products in every home are marked with really over the top warnings, to prevent accidents and the threat of lawsuits. For example, my curling iron very clearly states “this product will get hot” wow, who would have thought? The regular iron, though not overused in my home, has a warning that the steam can cause burns!

Any product that comes in a plastic bag displays the warning that toddlers can suffocate if the bag is placed over their head. Bleach and cleaning fluids come with a warning do not drink. DUH!

As anyone in the home, over the age of ten, usually knows the dangers of most household items, why do we need the warnings? Toddlers, usually can not read warnings so it is up to us, as adults, to store our poisons safely and to keep dangerous items away from children.

Not too long ago a company was in trouble for their pretty little, brightly coloured packages containing soap powder and bleach. Children thought they were candy and were eating them. I am pretty sure that the box stated a warning not to leave the product where a child could get at it. How many of us have our cleaning products under the kitchen sink? Probably most households do, so, isn’t it up to each of us to make sure children do not get access to these products?

One ridiculous case that went to court was the person who bought a hot coffee from McDonalds, stuck the paper cup between their legs and then sued, when the hot liquid spilled and burned them. This was not a young child but a person of driving age. Was that person mentally fit to drive if they did not know that hot coffee will burn you?

Some of the signs in foreign countries are really comical as the translation gets a bit screwed. On a recent trip to Chile, the bathroom sign asked us not to throw paper at the toilet. In Portugal, we were instructed to not let children drown in the adult pool. I guess they could be dispensed with in the kid’s pool instead.

Dave has just received new insurance stickers for the truck, it is interesting to note that we can use the truck for some unusual purposes. Eg., we can use it as a Limo, hm… not what most people would like to arrive at the church in, but we cold put a nice bench in the back and decorate with balloons. We can also use it as a hearse!

Now there is a great thought. We could compete with Nunes Pottinger and do cut rate funerals. The dearly departed could travel in style and I could prepare the catering while Dave drives. Yes, I definitely see a bright new future for us both. We could call our business “Parties and Plots”