ADVERTISEMENT

Nobody puts up safety signs without reason. Slippery when wet. Sharp turn ahead. High voltage. Keep out. These bits of information are aimed to help you move around places and inform you where you're going. They let you know what you can do and, more often, what's off-limits. Whether by warning or guiding you, they are intended to send clear messages that would make any perplexed citizen feel instantly at ease. Usually.

Because sometimes, the warning turns out to be scarier than the danger itself. Of course, it's better to be safe than sorry, but some signs involve such specific and life-threatening messages that they instill fear, suspicion, and overwhelming worry in anyone who crosses their path. We're talking about oddly terrifying messages that remind us our vast world is filled with unpredictable hazards from which we'd like to stay as far away as possible.

Below, we at Bored Panda have compiled a list featuring some of the most intimidating and scary signs found around the world. So buckle up, pull your seat closer, and behold these sinister signs that are bound to make you a little unsettled. Scroll down and upvote the best ones! And after you’re done, more of the same madness awaits in our previous features on the same topic here and here.

RELATED:
    #2

    Legit Sign Post

    Legit Sign Post

    nofomo2 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Lauren S
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh my gosh!! I did not get this right away!!! Men under 30! đŸ€ŁđŸ€ŁđŸ€Ł Beware the cougars.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #3

    Applying New Window Sticker

    Applying New Window Sticker

    xchrysler18 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ember
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love this actually
.what a great sense of humour 😂

    View more commentsArrow down menu

    It’s no secret that signs are everywhere we look. Most of them have a function and purpose, mainly to keep us out of harm’s way. We may not often think about it, but these messages play a crucial part in keeping us safe during our day-to-day lives. They inform us when to stop at an intersection, if there are threats ahead or when it’s safe to cross the road. But unfortunately, we get so used to seeing them that we don’t even bat an eye.

    While we would never fear a stop sign or a road sign as we’re bombarded with these bits of information every day, you’d think that threatening announcements of dangers hard to imagine would make us stop and run the other way. Or, at the very least, make us consider what actually happened and what was the reason for their placement.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #4

    This Corn Maze Sign

    This Corn Maze Sign

    shidanesayo Report

    #5

    Well, That's Not A Good Sign

    Well, That's Not A Good Sign

    Millerheighife Report

    #6

    This Sign Asking People To Wear A Mask. It's On The Wall Outside A Classroom. Saw It On The News This Evening

    This Sign Asking People To Wear A Mask. It's On The Wall Outside A Classroom. Saw It On The News This Evening

    SusiciousPocket Report

    However, even the most terrifying or daunting signs that warn us of potential hazards and uneasy consequences if we refuse to obey sometimes get overlooked. And there are many reasons we ignore or even disregard these messages, whether we believe that we know better, think they don’t apply to us, or simply wish to add a dash of thrill and adrenaline into our daily lives.

    Moreover, we humans have exceptional adaptability to tune out most of the awful and disruptive things happening around us. But that skill is downright useless on the road, as only a few milliseconds can mean the difference between life and death when you need to deal with troubles ahead.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #7

    An Eerie Underwater Cave Death Warning Sign

    An Eerie Underwater Cave Death Warning Sign

    gnarledout Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Buren
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There was real case of fatality here. I can testify that inexperience scuba divers with massive ego are dangerous to themselves and everybody who are unfortunate enough to dive with them. Things could go wrong really, really fast. Respect the sea.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT

    According to a study in the Journal of Consumer Research, drivers react more quickly to road signs with symbols depicting motion. The researchers took a deeper look at whether different sorts of signs — particularly the ones depicting movement — do a better job of forcing drivers to pay attention to the road.

    "Warning signs are static visuals, yet they can vary in their ability to evoke a sense of movement. For example, the children depicted in a school crossing sign can be drawn as if they were running or walking. We discovered that more dynamic warning signs lead to quicker responses and changes in behavior," study authors, marketing experts Luca Cian, Aradhna Krishna, and Ryan S. Elder, wrote.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #11

    An Actual Road Sign My Sister Found In Alaska

    An Actual Road Sign My Sister Found In Alaska

    Karmas-Camera Report

    #12

    This Restaurant Sign That Is Half Shadows

    This Restaurant Sign That Is Half Shadows

    Cortinian Report

    It turns out that to truly make roads feel safe, they must feel dangerous. The researchers came up with five studies that examined how drivers reacted to movement on road signs. They used eye-tracking technology, surveys, and driving simulations and found that "higher dynamism" signs — think a running stick-figure pedestrian — did a better job of attracting driver attention and heightening risk perception.

    In each study, the participants reacted more quickly and stopped sooner when signs had more dynamic symbols. This may, in turn, translate to more vigilance and attention from behind the wheel.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    "While we have chosen to focus on traffic icons, our findings extend well beyond this domain. Since more dynamic symbols can impact behavior, increasing dynamism in recycling icons, packaging for health foods, and other contexts where behavioral changes are desirable should prove valuable for public policy and consumer welfare," the authors noted.

    #13

    This Should Not Be Hanging In My Soon-To-Be-Kindergartener’s Classroom

    This Should Not Be Hanging In My Soon-To-Be-Kindergartener’s Classroom

    radiofreegeorgy Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ange Marsden
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's horrifying and heartbreaking children have to learn that at an age where they don't even understand what death isđŸ˜Ș they deserve their innocence for longer

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #14

    I Live In A Very Classy Area

    I Live In A Very Classy Area

    Dizzazzter Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Lisa Edwardsen
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can imagine they've got a high rate of last minute cancellations!

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #15

    Genuinely The Scariest Sign I've Seen In A While Among A Pretty Spooky Looking Forest

    Genuinely The Scariest Sign I've Seen In A While Among A Pretty Spooky Looking Forest

    kj_gamer2614 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    tara
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I Was at the asylum they took us swimming at the beach! Then another beach...then the pool...i guess they really didn't know what to do with a bunch of loony teens other then swimming. Still made it out alive!

    View more commentsArrow down menu

    "From evolutionary psychology, we know that humans have developed systems to maximize the chances of detecting potential predators and other dangers. Thus, our attention system has evolved to detect actual movement automatically and quickly," co-author Cian explained to the Atlantic. "Perception of movement within a traffic sign prepares the driver for actual movement."

    ADVERTISEMENT

    "We would advocate that more dynamic traffic signs be used in contexts where faster attention and reaction times are needed,” added Krishna.

    #16

    The Drowning Machine

    The Drowning Machine

    heterosis Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    The Idaho Potato
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Kyle Hill did a great video on this. The water will effectively entrap you over and over again, preventing your escape and leading to an inevitable death even worse than being killed with pineapples.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #17

    This Warning Sign On A Venomous Snake Enclosure

    This Warning Sign On A Venomous Snake Enclosure

    zthphotography Report

    #18

    Recently Took A Trip To Australia. I Found This Sign On A Bathroom Door At Our Hotel

    Recently Took A Trip To Australia. I Found This Sign On A Bathroom Door At Our Hotel

    Randolph_v Report

    But this does beg the question, do signs with threatening auras convey the message? Marc Green, Ph.D., a human factor expert with extensive experience in perception, attention, and human factors, explained that warning signs, in general, often fail to change people's behavior.

    "For many years, designers focused their concern on sensory aspects of warnings: color, shape, location, pictures vs. text, size, and so on. However, recent research suggests that effective warning design depends as much on the contents of the viewer's head as on the contents of the warning's message," he explained.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #19

    A Friend Spotted This Sign In Their Neighborhood. So Many Questions

    A Friend Spotted This Sign In Their Neighborhood. So Many Questions

    JonnyPerl Report

    #20

    My Hometown Really Wanted To Put Up A Historical Plaque But Struggled To Find A Noteworthy Event To Celebrate

    My Hometown Really Wanted To Put Up A Historical Plaque But Struggled To Find A Noteworthy Event To Celebrate

    dr_aureole Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Loretta
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well I would definitely argue this was a noteworthy event.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #21

    This Is How Our Tigers See You

    This Is How Our Tigers See You

    mattjstyles Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    tara
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't care! *holds up a picture of a kitten* ...THIS is how I see your tigers...lemme in

    View more commentsArrow down menu

    When people stumble upon alarming messages, they have to decide whether or not to comply. "First, the viewer has general knowledge about the world and how it works. Second, s/he has a set of beliefs and expectations based on experience with the same or similar environment, product or technology."

    "Lastly, the viewer enters the situation with a goal and strategy for achieving that goal," Green continued. "The goal can be specific ('I want to arrive at my destination as soon as possible') or more diffuse ('I want to feel good about myself')." So an effective warning sign requires the designer to understand what the observer "brings to the table".

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #23

    This Sign In Finland

    This Sign In Finland

    TheIhminen Report

    In a previous Bored Panda interview, Frank T. McAndrew, Ph.D., the Cornelia H. Dudley Professor of Psychology at Knox College, mentioned that cursed and threatening messages we encounter in our daily lives make us take notice, whether we like it or not.

    "We are programmed by evolution to intently focus on unexpected or unusual things in our environment. It is essential to determine if such things pose some sort of threat to us or not, and cursed images hijack the part of our brain that is responsible for protecting us," McAndrew noted. 

    ADVERTISEMENT

    The same goes for unusual things in our environment. "Novelty in our environment (i.e., new or mysterious things) automatically grab our attention," he said. In an evolutionary sense, "people who paid attention to new things did a lot better over time than people who ignored them, and we are the descendants of the people who were curious."

    #25

    Thanks For The Warning

    Thanks For The Warning

    LittleDank Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    tara
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My great uncle was in the military and was about to have his photo taken while standing in front of a plane, the propeller was still turning. He hadn't been feeling well, and fainted into the moving propeller. He never came home.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #26

    This Warning Sign For Ghosts At An Old Castle In Poland

    This Warning Sign For Ghosts At An Old Castle In Poland

    Solvargen Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Mr. P.
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's in Bobolice, PL - https://goo.gl/maps/BkyTssrMionxAJfq9 Using Street View on one of the spots near the castle: https://tinyurl.com/ghost-sign

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #27

    This Sign At My Job

    This Sign At My Job

    Khaiju Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NOT WRONG. Not at all. You see someone doing something unsafe in an industrial space, say something. A few years back I had to say "SHAWN! What you just did is the most dangerous thing you can possibly do with those chemicals." He's now married with a kid. I like to think I saved him.

    View more commentsArrow down menu

    According to the professor, when we can’t determine if something is good, bad, or neutral, we feel uncomfortable. "Our inability to categorize it will eat at us because we do not know how to deal with it, and this can be paralyzing if it is something that we cannot easily avoid," he explained. 

    ADVERTISEMENT

    "Being uncomfortable with uncertainty is a very adaptive thing, and it helps us remain vigilant in situations where we need to do so," the professor said. "People differ from each other in how comfortable they are with uncertainty, and someone who is not at all tolerant of uncertainty will be more stressed out than they should be over even moderate levels of uncertainty. I am not sure that there is too much that can be done about this, as it is a personality thing and personalities are very hard to change."

    #28

    New Signs At School For Safety Against Shooters

    New Signs At School For Safety Against Shooters

    Plastic-Ramen Report

    #29

    Sign In The Front Of The Elementary School Down The Road

    Sign In The Front Of The Elementary School Down The Road

    highloveyou Report

    #30

    Deep Underground Humming Intensifies

    Deep Underground Humming Intensifies

    KLobstar Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Lucy Worthen
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dark Wendy. I live in New Mexico and there was a Wendy's in Gallup and the sign looked like this sadly, they fixed it

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #32

    You Know When You’re In The Australian Outback When You See A Sign Like This

    You Know When You’re In The Australian Outback When You See A Sign Like This

    Ozdriver Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Summer Mason
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We have those signs here in the USA too. Also ones that warn you when highways are closed do to extreme weather.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #33

    Positive

    Positive

    dchavez595 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, I've worked places like that before. Not too tough to get stuck in a cargo container on a busy dock.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #34

    My Mom Saw This Sign Driving Through Georgia

    My Mom Saw This Sign Driving Through Georgia

    thuglyfebitchesaints Report

    #35

    This Is Not A Slope Of Honour

    This Is Not A Slope Of Honour

    sergeyager Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Regal Kitten
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The fact that there are so tracks on the other side of the rope is slightly worrying

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #36

    The World's Most Dangerous Plant

    The World's Most Dangerous Plant

    folowthewhiterarebit Report

    #37

    This Sign Is So Unsettling

    This Sign Is So Unsettling

    WetMayor Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    phil blanque
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait ...was that eight blasts...or seven...or nine? Any blasts, I am running.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #38

    Found This Sign On The Edge Of Our Family Property

    Found This Sign On The Edge Of Our Family Property

    crow144 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Do Not Hunt, Trap, or Come into Contact with Wildlife", is good advice in general. That racoon may look cute at 50ft away BUT DO NOT HUG!

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #39

    On A Trail In Bald Eagle State Forest, PA

    On A Trail In Bald Eagle State Forest, PA

    trailnotfound Report

    #40

    Sign At Work

    Sign At Work

    TMD_989 Report

    #41

    I Must Have Walked Past This Sign 100 Times And Never Noticed It

    I Must Have Walked Past This Sign 100 Times And Never Noticed It

    Maleficent-Jelly2287 Report

    #43

    The Trail At My School With A Warning Sign

    The Trail At My School With A Warning Sign

    PurpleZeppelin Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Zodiac
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It seems like the person who took this photo is a bit ofa rulebreaker...

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #44

    Restroom Sign At A Croatian Restaurant

    Restroom Sign At A Croatian Restaurant

    blendender Report

    #45

    Found This Sign While Walking In A Local Cemetery Last Year

    Found This Sign While Walking In A Local Cemetery Last Year

    Junoisdivine Report

    #46

    This Creepy Sign I Found In The Woods Depicts A Man Jumping Over Some Scary Looking Hands

    This Creepy Sign I Found In The Woods Depicts A Man Jumping Over Some Scary Looking Hands

    quadriplegicswimteam Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #47

    Odd Sign Found In The Johnson Shut-Ins, Missouri

    Odd Sign Found In The Johnson Shut-Ins, Missouri

    gundymetre Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Celia McReynolds Tinsley
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's due to the flooding that occurred in December 2005. A dike broke causing a 15 foot of water to race toward the campground.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #48

    On A Hiking Trail That Leads To Christ The Redeemer, Rio De Janeiro

    On A Hiking Trail That Leads To Christ The Redeemer, Rio De Janeiro

    GodGermany Report

    #49

    Have You Been Having Strange Dreams? A Real Sign Found In Portland

    Have You Been Having Strange Dreams? A Real Sign Found In Portland

    Marcus_Yallow Report

    Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
    Unlimited content
    Ad-free browsing
    Dark mode
    #51

    Everyone Is At Risk

    Everyone Is At Risk

    theWildBore Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Stephanie A Mutti
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The sign in an earlier post warning to close the door to keep snakes out probably works better.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #52

    I’ve Never Seen A Hotel Pool Sign So Blunt Before

    I’ve Never Seen A Hotel Pool Sign So Blunt Before

    TurtlesTurnMeOn Report

    #53

    Think This Belongs Here

    Think This Belongs Here

    Yasmin16 Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #55

    Wildfire Danger Sign From A Trip To Lava Beds National Monument

    Wildfire Danger Sign From A Trip To Lava Beds National Monument

    PsychePsyche Report

    #56

    I Mean... Someone Has To Do Something Stupid Before You Make A Sign. Right?

    I Mean... Someone Has To Do Something Stupid Before You Make A Sign. Right?

    Antscannabis Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Lisa Edwardsen
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I read somewhere that when a company gets sued more than 40 times their legal dept requires they include warning signs. For example, on a hair dryer it'll say "do not use while bathing" etc

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #57

    Do We Really Need A Sign For This

    Do We Really Need A Sign For This

    Ameerican_punk Report

    #58

    This Anti-Littering Sign

    This Anti-Littering Sign

    Mineral_myco_medic Report

    #62

    I Was On A Hike In The Grand Canyon One Day

    I Was On A Hike In The Grand Canyon One Day

    ShawnSaturday Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Bethan Coleman
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There are small deposits of uranium ore in the area and over the years attempts have been made to mine them. This has caused some areas to have slightly higher than normal levels of background radiation.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #63

    Knowing Doesn’t Make Me Feel Any Better

    Knowing Doesn’t Make Me Feel Any Better

    officialspoon Report

    #64

    Sign In Garden At Marina Rental Office

    Sign In Garden At Marina Rental Office

    almutasim Report

    #65

    Found This Whilst Walking Along A Beach In North Devon

    Found This Whilst Walking Along A Beach In North Devon

    Violent-KitKat Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    TotallyNOTaFox
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not going to lie, sounds like an interesting place to hike actually

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #66

    This Sign Telling That There’s No Exit

    This Sign Telling That There’s No Exit

    MrBeanEatBeansWithMe Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Katie Lutesinger
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As you reached the door and saw the sign, you realised too late that there was no escape. Moments later something brushed ever so lightly against the back of your neck, bringing with it the stench of old meat and the chill of graveyard soil...

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #69

    This Sign Is About Two Hundred Yards From My Daughter's School

    This Sign Is About Two Hundred Yards From My Daughter's School

    Ralph--Hinkley Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Lauren S
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m not a fan of posts turning to anti-USA but I can’t help myself. Tell me you live in America without telling me you live in America.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #71

    Random Sign In The Woods

    Random Sign In The Woods

    PlumbCrazyRefer Report

    #72

    Went To This Small Town Pie Place With An Interesting Sign

    Went To This Small Town Pie Place With An Interesting Sign

    criptyde Report

    #73

    At Least There's A Sign

    At Least There's A Sign

    word_jerk Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Lauren zzstu Campo
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    they're telling u to be careful about the traffic đŸ€ŁđŸ€ŁđŸ€ŁđŸ€ŁđŸ€Ł

    #74

    Outside My Local Health Food Store

    Outside My Local Health Food Store

    legionofnerds Report

    #75

    That’s... Weirdly Specific

    That’s... Weirdly Specific

    skittlesbian Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Vorknkx
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because of the sound? It reminds me of an insect's buzzing.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #77

    Coober Pedy, South Australia

    Coober Pedy, South Australia

    TuPatodeConfianza Report

    #78

    Found In A Popular Shopping Mall

    Found In A Popular Shopping Mall

    IronChefAndronicus Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why go through the trouble of making a sign when you can just turn a valve and shut the water off?

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #79

    I Locked The Doors Quite Quickly After Seeing This

    I Locked The Doors Quite Quickly After Seeing This

    Yemris Report

    #80

    This Sign Outside The Local Daycare

    This Sign Outside The Local Daycare

    supershale Report