Wham-O Goes Blam-O on Toyota
11 June 1999
Boy, I personally feel better knowing that the Wham-O police are looking out forour 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.