5 Kitchen Safety Posters That Make Us Laugh

In some cities (including New York City), restaurants are required by law to display step-by-step instructions on how to save someone from choking. The local governments and health departments often supply free prints, which restaurant owners can order and hang. (Here’s one for NYC.)

There is no law, however, that states the posters can’t be fun and a bit more creative. That’s why some artists have been reinventing the posters with all the pertinent info — and a little more personality. The best part: You can buy some of these for your own kitchen.

Remember: Choking is no joke, but these posters are pretty funny.

Designed for Big Gay Ice Cream by Jason O’Malley, this poster features a Bea Arthur-esque lady performing the Heimlich Maneuver on a unicorn in distress. Unicorns and The Golden Girls? This was practically made for your kitchen!

How is it that ice cream places all seem to have the best versions of these things? This limited-edition print reminds us of a Shakespearean play. Not your style? They have two other options.

Here’s what you do if you’re on a date and your potential love interest starts choking. Don’t worry, it has a happy ending with a follow-up drink. And maybe a second date?

You don’t have to be a Dancing with the Stars alum in order to understand the directions on this tango-themed poster. Although it probably helps if you enjoy dancing. Otherwise, it would be a little random for your kitchen.

Hang this print (which was designed for a seafood restaurant) in a brightly colored kitchen and it’ll be sure to pop.

Thanks for reading Kitchen Hang-Ups! It’s a new column on the site, meant to give you all sorts of ideas for things to hang from your walls — or even the ceiling.