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Wham-O Goes Blam-O on Toyota

11 June 1999

Boy, I personally feel better knowing that the Wham-O police are looking out for
our safety! Get a load of this story (MJR):

    SAN FRANCISCO -- Wham-O's response to news reports about the lawsuit filed on 
Tuesday, June 8, against Toyota Motor Sales USA for its ad depicting an adult 
dressed for work who jumps onto a water slide is as follows:

    The water slide used in the Toyota Solara ad was not manufactured by
Wham-O, however, we are concerned because this ad shows a slide being used
improperly.  Wham-O wrote Toyota's advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi on
March 16 to alert them to the hazards of adult use of water slides, and to
formally express our concerns about the depiction.  These concerns have also
been communicated directly to Toyota.

    Wham-O water slide products are designed for use by children only.  We
treat the risks they present to adults very seriously, and make significant
efforts to dissuade adults and larger children from using these products.  The
following warning label appears on all Wham-O water slide products:

    WARNING!  NOT FOR ADULT USE.
    NOT FOR CHILDREN OVER 12 OR UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE.  THIS PRODUCT IS NOT FOR
USE BY ANYONE OVER 5' TALL OR WEIGHING OVER 110 POUNDS.   Warning label
specifies age 9 restriction for one of the three Wham-O water slide products)

    * Because of their larger size, older children and adults risk spine,
      neck, head, or other life-threatening injuries from using this slide.
    * Reckless use, misuse, or abuse of this slide may cause serious, even
      fatal, injury.  Read instructions and Safety Checklist before using.
      Use only according to instructions.
    * Use with adult supervision only.
    * Use on flat lawn only, not on pavement or other hard surfaces.  Lawn
      should be free of rocks, bumps, depressions, sticks, etc.
    * Proper set-up by an adult is required.
    * Slide so that arms and stomach contact slide first.  NEVER DIVE
      HEAD-FIRST ONTO THIS SLIDE.  Diving head first may result in serious
      injury, including paralysis.
    * Slide on stomach only.  Do not stand, kneel or crouch.

    Wham-O urges adults to read and adhere to the warning labels on its
products, which are designed to ensure their safety.  When used responsibly by
children, water slides are great fun.