Sometimes consumer products aren't just confusing or overly complex. Sometimes they can be downright difficult to use. They can even be dangerous. They might even be deadly. Such is Mike's loft ladder. Difficult, frustrating and downright dangerous, this is an example of consumer product design sins to avoid at all costs.

If you design products - or have them designed for you, you MUST think about this. Even if you're "just" ultimately liable if someone hurts themselves, you've got to be so careful not to produce products that harm your users.

Otherwise, it's just a matter of time before someone hurts themselves using your product. Or you're just hoping for good luck. And luck, as the Marines say, is not a strategy.