Warning labels are a necessity of modern life. So is litigation, which has spawned The Wacky Warning Label Contest.

It all starts with lawsuits that abuse the obvious. To avoid liability, product manufacturers place all kinds of warning labels in front of users and buyers. You know, just in case.

The Michigan Lawsuit Abuse Watch came up with a contest for wacky labels; not so much for fun but to show what happens in a litigious world where lawyers run amok.

My favorite made runnerup and received a $250 prize. A label was found on an iron-on t-shirt transfer– the kind of design that you iron on to a blank t-shirt. The label said, “Do not iron while wearing shirt.”

Duh.

Third place was for a label on a baby stroller with a small storage pouch. The warning? “Do not put child in bag.”

More duh.

What’s interesting about this whole label and litigation process is that lawyers cause the litigation and lawyers create the labels to avoid product liability. It’s the circle of life.

Honorable mention went to the label on a letter opener which read, “Caution: Safety goggles recommended.”

What’s next? Labels on Milky Way candy bars which state, “May cause fatness, diabetes, and premature aging.”

The winner, and deservedly so (it’s a ‘wacky’ contest), was for the label on a small tractor which stated, “Danger: Avoid Death.”

I rather expect to see labels printed on condoms which state the obvious, “May Leak and Cause Pregnancy.”