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When you think about it, the goal of a sign is pretty basic, isn’t it? We put them up to give us directions, send messages, and warn us about dangers lurking around the corner. But while sometimes they hilariously fail to fulfill their purpose by looking like the most random and absurd announcements ever created, others seem to carry a somewhat threatening aura.

We’re talking about signs that remind us the world is filled with unforeseen hazards that make us want to stop and quickly run the other way. So let us introduce you to the 'Scary Signs' subreddit. This online community with over 379K members has set out on a mission to share pictures of terrifying messages from all over the world "that you don't want to be near".

Some of them are scarier than the danger itself, others are so creepy we can’t help but wonder why they got put up there in the first place. Whatever the case may be, these warnings definitely catch one's attention. Bored Panda has collected some of the most frightening posts from the group, so continue scrolling to check them out for yourself, and let us know what you think about them in the comments!

#1

Scary-Sad, But Comforting To Know You Can Be Safe

Scary-Sad, But Comforting To Know You Can Be Safe

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Roxy Eastland
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's not a scary sign I "don't want to be near" - that's a fantastic sign that we're all glad to see

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#3

Oh...ok I Understand

Oh...ok I Understand

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JoyfulZebra
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Glad to know zoos make sure their animals are taken care of!

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Since its creation in 2014, the 'Scary Signs' subreddit has amassed more than 379K members who are eager to share the daunting messages they come across in every corner of the world. Nearly every post consists of terrifying or confusing signs that warn us of potential hazards up ahead and uneasy consequences we will face if we refuse to obey.

While we're used to seeing safety signs and not batting an eye, people on this online community prove that some of them have a slightly threatening nature that everyone should take notice of. After all, most of us are hoping to avoid falling into "the drowning machine", getting attacked by aggressive geese, or encountering a venomous snake that's missing from its exhibit.

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Yet, there seem to be many factors that can make people disregard even the most frightening messages. Maybe you're an adrenaline junkie looking for new adventures every chance you get. Perhaps you think the sign is scarier than the danger itself. I mean, it's better to be safe than sorry, but who really wants to be told to watch out for falling deer? How often does that really happen?

Marc Green, Ph.D., is a human factor expert who has extensive experience in perception, attention, human factors, and related areas. According to him, warning signs often fail to change people's behavior. They can either go unnoticed or, more often than not, they are seen but ignored by the viewer. "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.

#7

Trailhead In Tennessee

Trailhead In Tennessee

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MellonCollie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, this is a great sign. I have encountered a few similar sign in Australia, and I find them rather helpful.

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#8

Don’t Do Meth

Don’t Do Meth

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You see, when people stumble upon alarming messages, they then have to make a decision whether or not to comply. But let's not forget that people who are the intended audience of these signs are not blank slates. They rather start with a thought process containing three components: "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."

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"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 to create an effective warning sign, the designer must understand what the observer "brings to the table".

#11

Percy Preist Lake In Nashville, Tn

Percy Preist Lake In Nashville, Tn

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Jayne Kyra
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

See? They drowned even if they wore lifejackets! Why should people wear masks/seatbelts/get vaccinated/wear protective gear/etc when you can still die!? /sarcasm, if that was not obvious

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As viewers, we’re aware that safety signs are placed there for our own benefit. Their purpose is to draw our attention to important information that might prevent us from doing harm to ourselves or the people around us. Unfortunately, sometimes they are less likely to be effective when they are placed in the wrong area or use vague messaging. This could lead to tragic accidents, so it’s always best to make sure the sign will be crystal clear to virtually anyone.

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#15

Straight To The Point, Don't Become Soup

Straight To The Point, Don't Become Soup

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However, even when signs are compelling and tick every box on the list, we humans have a tendency to overlook them. Green explained that when a warning tells us to refrain from behavior that would enable us to quickly achieve our goal, we then make a cost-benefit analysis. "In some cases, the viewer might lose the goal altogether ('No Smoking' signs), or exert more effort ('Detour' signs)," he mentioned some examples of the cost.

When it comes to benefits, they can be practical (like injury avoidance), and psychological. "A driver deciding whether to comply with a speed limit sign might calculate the costs of arriving later," he added. But one benefit of compliance is feeling safe and less anxious, like thinking "I won't be as likely to get in an accident," or "I won't have to spend time and effort looking for a radar trap." Other psychological advantages could be the sense of being "a good citizen" or "a team player," Green argued.

#16

19th Century Japanese Tsunami Warnings. This One Reads: “Remember The Calamity Of The Great Tsunamis. Do Not Build Any Homes Below This Point”

19th Century Japanese Tsunami Warnings. This One Reads: “Remember The Calamity Of The Great Tsunamis. Do Not Build Any Homes Below This Point”

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Rabbit Carrot
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And they still built below that point. I was watching a Geographics video and most of the people who died in the 2011 tsunami were in buildings situated below the tsunami warning points.

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#17

Fight Back

Fight Back

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#18

Road Sign I Found In Texas

Road Sign I Found In Texas

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Rabbit Carrot
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me of the time a colleague stopped for a hitchhiker. A couple of miles down the road she accidentally ran over something (squirrel I think). Hitchhiker went to have a look. While he was out of the car she decided to have a look in his bag as she felt uneasy. He had a knife and rope in there. She yeeted out of there so fast. She was traumatised for a long time afterwards. But what a lucky escape.

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Another factor that affects how we see the size of the benefits is the perception of danger, which has two elements — hazard and risk. The viewer of the warning sign must take them into account when making the calculation. "If the person believes that there is great danger, then s/he will see a larger benefit in compliance. Conversely, perception of small danger means low benefit and compliance will decrease," he explained.

#21

At A Nearby Wolf Sanctuary

At A Nearby Wolf Sanctuary

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Lastly, our personal, social, and cultural backgrounds also affect our decision-making. Green explained that even when two people make the same cost-benefit analysis, they could go two different ways — one might ignore the sign while the other doesn't. "People accept different danger levels, have different attitudes about their ability to control danger and are differentially affected by social and cultural norms," the expert added.

So for warning signs to be persuasive, designers should focus more on the psychological factor. Sure, the bright glaring colors and terrifying symbols catch our attention and might stop us from falling into dangerous threats, but harmony between human behavior and design would reduce accidents even further.

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#23

Just Another Day In Alaska

Just Another Day In Alaska

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Rabbit Carrot
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just think if people closed their bins properly and didn’t litter (or encroach on bears habitats) then they wouldn’t come looking for food in houses / public spaces.

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#24

"The Drowning Machine"

"The Drowning Machine"

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#25

Uh Oh. Keep Out Of The Danger Noodle Room

Uh Oh. Keep Out Of The Danger Noodle Room

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#27

Bush Fire Rating Signs All Over Australia

Bush Fire Rating Signs All Over Australia

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#31

The School Lockdown Song

The School Lockdown Song

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Yayheterogeneity
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Worst sign ever. Nothing like a funny shooters song 🙈 for the little ones. Awful.

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#32

How Fast Is It Going To Move?

How Fast Is It Going To Move?

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Bad Humor
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If elevator does not move call an inspector, owners will be punished after

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s a funny thing with some old machinery. You may think it’s broken, but if you know “the trick”, it runs beautifully. I’ve had older cars that wouldn’t start unless you knew the trick—-a specific procedure that the previous owner told me about. If I followed it, the car ran beautifully, if not I was stranded—-of course, I always followed it. So, the trick to this otherwise perfectly running elevator is the small jump.

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SR
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For an exceptionally smooth ride play the Hokey Pokey on your cell and perform all the moves.

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rhubarb
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It'll move so fast, you'll be at the ground in no time!

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Chris Hooley
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone else picturing Julie Andrews in the Parisian lift in Victor-Victoria? No? Just me? Ok.

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Jaybird3939
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They probably have a security camera in there just recording people who jump up and down.

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Nul Nemo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have to do that all the time if I'm alone in any elevator intended for 10-12 people - it's because I am a lightweight, so I guess the elevator just doesn't perceive my weight and start unless I do this small jump to kickstart it. It never happens if there are more people.

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okpkpkp
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was stuck in a freight elevator for 4 hours at work one day. I got the rest of the day off.

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L.j. Bus
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Got stuck in a similar elevator once while in my wheelchair. Needless to say I had to wait hours until released. But just saying… hope nobody needing to use this elevator is in a wheelvhair because the jumping part… not that easy lol

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Sue Knerl
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No big jumps, you may end up far below in a little mushy pile.

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shado
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

just a jump to the left ... and maybe a step to the right - something about hands on your hips and your knees pulled in tight?

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Elaine Mattingly
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate whoever wrote that, I'll just stand here till the door opens and walk downstairs.

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Isabel Care
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tap dancing as in Thoroughly Modern Millie will make it go faster

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MAKtheknife
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, no, no,............I been there. Didn't work with the one I was stuck in.

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Riley Quinn
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Uh, uh. I'm not using an elevator that requires me to jump to move it. How do you stop it?

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Catherine Hatch
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's how the elevator BROKE at Seal Caves, Oregon. When we were there. 2 Kids in elevator were jumping! So scary!

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Jessica Cifelli
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Could just imagine the amount of people doing the jump with absolute fear on their faces

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Two_rolling_black_eyes
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

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Two_rolling_black_eyes
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I worked once in a place that had an old freight elevator like this. The buttons to open/close were on the outside. The elevator stayed on the loading dock level and the buttons to open/close were on the outside on both floors. The elevator automatically locked the emergency wedges to stop you from falling when the doors were open to make sure you didn't accidentally overload it. The process was 1) Open the doors 2)load the freight 3)push the button for the other floor 4)Do the small bounce. If the weight wasn't too much, it would unlock the wedges. The bounce was to check if the cable would snap from momentum when the elevator tried to stop. If you bounced and it didn't move, you were overweight and had to remove part of the load. 5)Get out and hit the close door button and it would descend. 7)Walk down stairs or call down and tell them there is a load. 6)Hit the open door button and remove freight.

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freefall
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Having had multiple incidence where I found myself stuck on an elevator, always, by myself, I would choose stairs if I saw this.

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J. B.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really wonder in which country that pic was taken. I wanted to say Russia but the sign wouldn't have been in English.

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Turt_Le
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I jump with my kids in the elevator for fun, waiting for the rush of inertia when it comes to a stop again. Only when we're the only occupants though, we're not elevator jerks

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Thomas E S Thomas
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

General Elevator. American made. It has a brake locking issue. Should be replaced by an OTIS.

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#33

This Got Dark Real Quick

This Got Dark Real Quick

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Roxy Eastland
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Common all around the UK for a while. Now, probably prompted by research findings, we have signs written by children, with childish drawings, that say 'Twenty is Plenty'.

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#35

You Get The Gist, Even Without A Word Of Swedish

You Get The Gist, Even Without A Word Of Swedish

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#38

At My Apartment Complex

At My Apartment Complex

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#40

Apartheid-Era Sign Near Johannesburg, South Africa (1953)

Apartheid-Era Sign Near Johannesburg, South Africa (1953)

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Roxy Eastland
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had the misfortune when I was young to have a brief conversation with a white "Rhodesian" (young man) and yes, attitudes really were that vile.

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#43

Careful When Skiing

Careful When Skiing

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Vorknkx
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We've had many cases like this in my coiuntry. Reckless young skiers who thought it wouldn't happen to them... until it did.

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#45

Slowly Puts Shovel Back In Trunk

Slowly Puts Shovel Back In Trunk

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#46

Ok, Let's Just Go To The Public Pool?

Ok, Let's Just Go To The Public Pool?

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Chinmayee Kalghatgi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Water somehow always enters my nose while swimming. I’d avoid this pool no matter what

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#47

No Worries, 3 Layers Of Glass Still Remain To Protect You From The King Of The Jungle!

No Worries, 3 Layers Of Glass Still Remain To Protect You From The King Of The Jungle!

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Rabbit Carrot
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah but how did it break? Accidental damage or was the lion testing the fence like a Dino in Jurassic Park. If those lions are looking to escape we need to know!

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#48

Cute Cartoons Don’t Make Creepy Messages Better

Cute Cartoons Don’t Make Creepy Messages Better

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#49

“Holy Water Removed Temporarily”

“Holy Water Removed Temporarily”

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#50

Saw This Walking Through My University After Hours

Saw This Walking Through My University After Hours

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Note: this post originally had 107 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.