Protect Oneself
A basic right of consumers is to safe goods and services. Consequently, while there rests a legal obligation on manufacturers to ensure their products do not cause injury to life, limb and property as a result of defects there from, a similar duty or responsibility rests upon consumers to safely use such products.
Should consumers use products negligently, i.e. not in accordance with manufacturers' instructions they incur the risk of perhaps sole and total liability for injuries sustained from such misuse. To avoid this consequence, it is imperative that consumers exercise the responsibility to take time to read and familiarize themselves with the user manual and/or instructions that come with consumer products.
From simple products like paint to a product such as a vehicle (considered a lethal weapon), manufacturer's instructions usually accompany them. These instructions often deal with important steps associated with the product such as:
- Preparing to use product
- Operating/using the product
- Maintenance of product
- Disposal of product
For many decades there has been a proviso by which consumers have been advised to abide. It is still valid today: caveat emptor. It means 'let the buyer beware'. Ideally, with strong consumer action more so than legislation, it would read caveat venditor which means 'let the seller beware'.
In the meantime consumers must take all necessary steps to ensure their safety when they both purchase/use products and this includes their reporting unsafe goods and services to the Consumer Affairs Division and other consumer protection agencies. A brochure on the latter is available from us and consumers are invited to contact us at the addresses and numbers below for a copy of it.
Remember, the power is yours!
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