PRODUCT-SAFETY, INFORMATION, AND BEHAVIOR

The primary objective of this article is to promote a reevaluation of the adequacy of information-based solutions to product safety problems . The perspective that is introduced serves to redirect the current co nceptual and empirical approach to the issue of consumer safety. Thus far, most of the attention has been placed on the resolution of consum er problems via labels and warnings. However, these are not a complete solution to the problem. Labels are often ignored or unavailable at t he time of usage, and the representation of hazard information in memo ry is often inadequate. To achieve a more complete understanding of pr oduct safety, the extent to which consumers actively control their act ions must be examined. Solutions to the safety problem still in eviden ce require far greater attention to the reasons for and the dimensions of product consumption. These issues are discussed, and the significa nce of this expanded view is addressed both in terms of policy initiat ives and basic consumer research.