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20 Stupid Warning Labels That Will Make You Feel Like a Genius

Updated on May 23, 2025

These funny warning labels make us question our faith in humanity. Warning: Do not read this post while unconscious.

What were these companies thinking?

People rarely read the warning labels on the products they buy, but sometimes they can give you a good laugh. So for the sake of humor (and safety) always read the warning label before use, no matter how ridiculous. Here are 20 funny warning labels so strange that you’ll be left wondering why the company felt they had to even print them.

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wheelbarrow. Caution: not intended for highway use
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Warning label on a wheelbarrow:

Not intended for highway use.

You have to buy the high-end model to get the wheelbarrow up to 65 mph.

stroller. caution: remove child before folding.
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Warning label on a baby stroller:

Remove child before folding.

OK, who tried to fold up the stroller before taking their baby out?

thermometer. warning: once used rectally, the thermometer should not be used orally
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Warning label on a thermometer:

Once used rectally, the thermometer should not be used orally.

You would think that this goes without saying.

chipotle truck. notice: drivers do not carry burritos
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Warning label on a Chipotle truck:

Drivers do not carry burritos.

Don’t try to flag them down for a snack during your road trip.

drill. caution: this product not intended for use as a dental drill
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Warning label on an electric drill:

This product not intended for use as a dental drill.

It’s recommended that you don’t try dental procedures at home.

coffee cup. caution: avoid pouring on crotch area
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Warning label on a takeout coffee cup:

Avoid pouring on the crotch area.

When this happens, it’s typically a coffee accident, but thanks for the warning.

jetski. warning: never use a lit match or open flame to check fuel level
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Warning label on a jet ski:

Never use a lit match or open flame to check fuel level.

Has someone really tried that?!

dog sleeping next to medicine bottles. warning: may cause drowsiness, use care when operating car.
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Warning label on a bottle of dog medication:

May cause drowsiness. Use care when operating a car.

Don’t worry, Fido doesn’t even have his driver’s license.

dishwasher. notice: do not allow children to play in the dishwasher
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Warning label on a dishwasher:

Do not allow children to play in the dishwasher.

Would they even fit?

dead rat. warning: has been found to cause cancer in laboratory mice
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Warning label on a box of rat poison:

Has been found to cause cancer in laboratory mice.

Well, we want the poison to kill them, so I guess in this case cancer is OK.

markers. notice: should not be used for signing checks or any legal documents
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Warning label on a vanishing ink marker:

It should not be used for signing checks or any legal documents.

Sometimes the vanishing ink marker is the only thing around when you need to sign something.

ironing board with shirts and iron. caution: do not iron while wearing shirt
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Warning label on an iron-on shirt pattern:

Do not iron while wearing the shirt.

That does seem like the most convenient way to do it, but it would be pretty painful.

scooter. warning: this product moves when used
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Warning label on a Razor scooter:

This product moves when used.

Thanks, that’s why I bought it.

hairdryer. caution: do not use while sleeping
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Warning label on a hairdryer:

Do not use while sleeping.

How would someone even do that?

wood. caution: risk of fire
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Warning label on a package of fireplace logs:

Risk of fire.

Yeah, we know.

fish hook. caution: harmful if swallowed
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Warning label on a fishing hook:

Harmful if swallowed.

We’re trying to hook fish, not humans.

pepper spray. warning: may irritate eyes
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Warning label on a can of pepper spray:

May irritate eyes.

I would hope so.

toner cartridges. warning: do not eat toner
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Warning label on a cartridge for a laser printer:

Do not eat toner.

Sometimes fixing the printer is so frustrating that the only thing you can do is start eating its parts.

letter opener. Caution: safety goggles recommended
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Warning label on a letter opener:

Safety goggles recommended.

How aggressively are people opening their letters?

bar of soap. notice: use like regular soap
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Warning label on a bar of soap:

Use like regular soap.

How do you use not-regular soap?

Why trust us

Reader’s Digest has been telling jokes for more than 100 years, curated and reviewed over the last 20 years by Senior Features Editor Andy Simmons, a humor editor formerly of National Lampoon and the author of Now That’s Funny. We’ve earned prestigious ASME awards for our humor—including comical quips, pranks, puns, cartoons, one-liners, knock-knock jokes, riddles, memes, tweets and stories in laugh-out-loud magazine columns such as “Life in These United States,” “All in a Day’s Work,” “Laughter, the Best Medicine” and “Humor in Uniform,” as well as online collections such as short jokes, dad jokes and bad jokes so bad, they’re great. You can find a century of humor in our 2022 compendium, Reader’s Digest: Laughter, the Best Medicine. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.