Instructions

[dilligaf]

I have just bought a replacement rotary lawnmower. The instructions given tell me, and I quote, "do not touch the blades while they are rotating, they are very sharp"

Please, who would in their right mind attempt to touch a blade (sharp or not) while it is rotating at a high speed.

You would only do it once.

Has anyone else had experience of such advice before using new products?

[woodchopper]

You have to take into account when issuing instructions that the person using the equipment might be the offspring of the TV weather girl and the village idiot.

[burnhal]

We live in a world of 'ambulance chasers' . The trouble is if someone was stupid enough to stick their fingers in the blades and the operators manual didn't tell you not to then you could sue the pants off the manufacturer. Thats why we get manuals with as many pages of warnings as intructions!

[Ethel]

Do not use the microwave to dry pets.

Honestly!

But this is a reaction to the compensation culture we now have - everyone is frightened of being sued by fools such as the McDonald's customer who was scalded because his coffee was too hot.

If a customer can say 'but the instructions didn't say that' they can claim for any injury they get from their stupidity.

I'm surprised that people who are stupid enough to do these things can read the instructions, to be honest.

[Ethel]

Sorry, burnhal - your post was there when I started.

Interesting we both use the word 'stupid' though. :)

[dilligaf]

They didn't tell mention that it wouldn't trim my hair to the same level it would trim my grass ?

[burnhal]

ah- splendid idea! might be cheaper than the barbers!

[dilligaf]

I have recently retired (having lived to retirement age) and moved into a new home and replacing most domestic appliances which I have previously used via common sense.
Now retired I have time to read the instructions and quite honestly can not believe them.

Electric toaster. Electric kettle. Do not imerse in water. Do not insert fingers or metal impliments into these appliances when they are turned on.

Tv, DVD, Video, Pc. Do not use abrasive (brillo pads)? to clean the screen.

Where should these instructions stop, and where does common sense begin?

[dilligaf]

Sorry burnhal, The cost of bandages would cost a lot more that a quick trim at the barbers.

[vehelpfulguy]

I bought a pack of prawns from Sainsbury's last week.

On the bottom of the box it said

Allergy warning: Contains shellfish

I was flying long haul a few years ago and was given a small bag of peanuts with my drink.

It said on the package - Warning: Contains nuts.

[vehelpfulguy]

The Arsenal footballer from the 1970s Charlie George cut off one of his fingers with a lawnmower, I guess he was cleaning the blades while it was still plugged in.

Funny, but I searched the internet to verify my facts, and many sites say he cut off his toe with a lawnmower, but I am sure it was his finger (unles he was stupid enough to do BOTH)

[Hammer]

My packet of peanuts said MAY contain nuts. I was pretty sure it did contain them too!

[winny]

Childrens toys are good ones they all say warning may contain small parts regardless of what the toy is. Even things like a beaded necklace will say it like you did not nitice the beads were small and chokable on!!!!! Then things like building blocks say it and i cant figure where the small parts are.

[Toleman]

I noticed a pizza that says take out of box and selophane* and place into a preheated oven...

Who would leave it in the box and put it in the oven?

*spelling?

Also im a kitchen fitter and on a oven was a sticker serving no other perpose than saying "remove before use"
I supose this isn't to do with that but its a stupid instruction still.

[EDLEE]

Thousands of lawyers make good livings from litigating cases like the Mcdonald's coffee thing, but keep in mind that it was a jury that made the award of 29 mil. Where do they get these people for these juries? It seems they must be dipping into the shallow end of the gene pool to find them.

On the other hand , who do you suppose advises these companies as to what warnings to print?

Lawyers , again. You don't suppose there could be some correlation here?