ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a study in which relation between the expression of a product and users’ behaviour was investigated from a safety point of view. The results show that the evaluated products were perceived as expressing “safety” to different extents and that this expression could be attributed different details in the product’s. The products may express “safety” in a way that make the parents less aware of possible risks associated with the products’ use, the products may communicate a false message of safety. The fundamental method used for the evaluation and comparison was Product Semantic Analysis. Product semantics may be an important complementary tool when designing products and when analysing the causes for accidents. The results show further that product A was perceived to have a strong expression of safety. An expression of “safety” may, through the product’s gestalt, carry stories of use in which no risks or reasons for caution are present.
