This Side Up

This Side Up is a familiar label used in the shipping, transporting, and the packaging industry. It is used to indicate the correct manner in which a package is to be handled, stored or transported. Incorrect handling, storage or transportation could result in damage to the items in the package.

These items could be fragile (such as glassware, crockery, mirrors, etc.), dangerous (such as chemicals, inflammable hazardous goods - explosives), or expensive (medical equipments, electronics, etc.).

I’ve also seen this label on our old Safari suitcase. A red arrow with the text This Side Up helped us identify the lid of the suitcase.

I recently found out that common folks (outside the shipping, transporting, and packaging industry) could also benefit from the use of this label. After all, we try to idiot-proof tasks, processes, chores in our daily lives. Thus, we aim to minimise and ultimately eliminate errors, misuse, minor mishaps, etc. Hmm...

Maybe that explains a big, black, bold This Side Up on 2x2 inch box of safety match sticks! Clarification: this sign did not originate at the manufacturer’s end or at the retailer’s end.

And the other side sports another sign—ulta side!

Wow!
:-)