Safety Posters Today, Made To Inform & Keep You Safe.

The Safety Poster Called “Dead Tired”

This safety poster was pulled from the school system in 1980 for being too controversial, it was the “Dead Tired” safety poster.  It had been distributed to the schools but back then the powers that be thought it too grim. The poster was that of a close up of a hand with a cigarette in it and the tip of the cigarette was burning a hole into what appeared to be a mattress as flames started to spark from the mattress. This safety poster prominently featured the words “Dead Tired” on it.

Quite an image, yes, but it was also a very effective image. As safety posters go, this particular safety poster went to an ominous length to drive its message home. It was succinct and stressed the fact that if you fall asleep while smoking, you may not wake up. Note how times have changed, since the poster didn’t make any references to the health hazards of smoking.  Can’t get more of a health hazzard than what this poster was depicting.

Is This Necessary?

This brings up a serious question: does a safety poster need to be shocking in order to make its point properly? That is hard to say, since “need” is a fairly strong word and only the person looking at the safety poster will be the judge of what the poster needs in order to be effective. There will be, however, a fairly standard consensus as to whether or not a poster is using shock in order to get its point across. There will not be a consensus, however, if a safety poster that uses shock value to get a message across is appropriate in the school system.

Twenty-six years ago, the school boards on the East Coast opted to remove the “Dead Tired” posters out of high schools and grade schools, feeling that it went too far and the message of smoking safety could be better served with a slightly less severe message. This poster was designed for adults who smoked and was totally out of place in schools.

Over the years, safety posters have become less of the shock tactics and more informative. The safety posters of old  were just a bit too over the top. Many safety posters these day use creativity as opposed to shock to get their message across and seem to do the job quite well. Why not check them out and see if there is one to suit your needs.  There are safety posters today for your workplace, your home, around your pool and even just to remind us of the simple things like being sun smart.