CONSUMER RIGHTS
Warning labels matter
Pushpa Girimaji

Words like "caution", "warning" or "danger" have the power of drawing your mediate attention. That’s exactly what product labels bearing these headings are intended to do — force you to pay attention to the most important safety information about the product. Take portable generators for example. In the USA, the Consumer Product Safety Commission found that the carbon monoxide gas emitted by these generators was causing a large number of deaths. Unlike in India, where these generators are in use during summer, when power supply becomes unreliable, in the USA, they are used following a heavy storm or a hurricane that disrupts power supply.

In the year 2005, for example, 64 people died in the USA on account of generator-related carbon monoxide poisoning. In 2006, from October 1 to December 31, 32 deaths were reported from carbon monoxide poisoning, again because of using generators indoors. This forced the Consumer Product Safety Commission to mandate that all portable generators sold in the country should carry from May 14 this year a ‘danger’ label stating that "using a generator indoors can kill you in minutes". The label, to be affixed to the product as well as the packaging, is also required to warn consumers that carbon monoxide emitted by generators is a quick, silent killer and, therefore, the generators should never be kept indoors or near places from where the carbon monoxide can enter the house. Generators should be used outdoors only, far from windows, doors and vents.

The CPSC is also working on generator engines with substantially reduced carbon monoxide emissions, as well as automatic shut-off devices , so as to reduce the carbon monoxide hazard, but the warning label plays an important role in educating the consumer on the proper use of the product, says CPSC. In fact, in February this year, CPSC recalled 1.8 million units of multipurpose gas lighters imported from China because they carried warning labels only in Spanish and not in English.

Failure to follow instructions in the warning label could result in injury to the user, the CPSC said while recalling the product. You may have seen plastic wrappings that come from western countries. Each one of them carries a warning on how they should be kept away from children and that they can cause choking if a child swallows it or can cause death by suffocation if a child pulls it over the head. This warning was evolved on account of unfortunate deaths that have happened. Being forewarned is forearmed. And when it comes to consumer products, nothing can be as effective as a ‘caution’ label warning the consumer about the hazards of the product.

Such labels, if given in clear, bold letters and in a language that is easily understood, can really go a long way in preventing product-related accidents and deaths.

I remember some years ago, a Delhi family witnessed a tragedy because of a portable generator. During the height of summer, when there was no power supply, the family had kept the generator on in the night to keep the air conditioner going. Even though the generator was in the corridor, the carbon monoxide had entered the closed bedroom, resulting in the tragedy. I do not remember the number of victims, but it could well have been averted if the family was aware of the danger inherent in keeping the generator indoors.

Similarly, the LPG cylinders too should carry a big warning on their safe usage. It should also carry the emergency number on which consumers can call in case of a problem. I would suggest a similar precautionary label for room heaters so that they are kept away from combustible sources such as curtains, fabrics, books, carpets, beds, bed clothes, quilts, etc.

Such warnings are necessary for a number of products. Mosquito repellent coils, for example. I know of a case where a mosquito coil caused a major fire and the boy who was sleeping in the room had a miraculous escape. During the night, the bedclothes fell on the coil by accident and caught fire. The fire spread to the book case next to it and soon the entire room was afire.

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