Safety; General Lawn Mower Safety - Toro 20831 Operator's Manual

This manual identifies potential hazards and has special
safety messages that help you and others avoid personal
injury and even death. Danger, Warning, and Caution are
signal words used to identify the level of hazard. However,
regardless of the hazard, be extremely careful.
Danger signals an extreme hazard that will cause serious
injury or death if you do not follow the recommended
precautions.
Warning signals a hazard that may cause serious injury or
death if you do not follow the recommended precautions.
Caution signals a hazard that may cause minor or moderate
injury if you do not follow the recommended precautions.
This manual uses 2 other words to highlight information.
Important
calls attention to special mechanical
information and Note: emphasizes general information
worthy of special attention.

Safety

Toro designed and tested this lawn mower to offer
reasonably safe service; however, failure to comply with
the following instructions may result in personal injury.
Warning
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an
odorless, deadly poison that can kill you.
Do not run the engine indoors or in an enclosed
area.
To ensure maximum safety, best performance, and to
gain knowledge of the product, it is essential that you
and any other operator of the lawn mower read and
understand the contents of this manual before operating
the lawn mower.
This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you
to potential personal injury hazards. Obey all safety
messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible
injury or death.
Improperly using or maintaining this lawn mower can
result in injury. To reduce the potential for injury,
comply with these safety instructions.

General Lawn Mower Safety

The following instructions have been adapted from the
ANSI/OPEI standard B71.1—1998 and ISO standard
5395:1990(E). Information or terminology specific to Toro
lawn mowers is enclosed in parenthesis.
This lawn mower is capable of amputating hands and feet
and of throwing objects. Failure to observe the following
safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
Training
Read this operator's manual carefully. Be thoroughly
familiar with the controls and the proper use of the lawn
mower before starting it.
Never allow children to operate the lawn mower. Local
regulations may restrict the age of the operator.
Never allow adults unfamiliar with these instructions to
operate the lawn mower.
Never mow while people (especially children) or pets
are nearby. Stop the lawn mower if anyone enters the
area.
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to
the presence of children. Children are often attracted to
the lawn mower and the mowing activity. Never assume
that children will remain where you last saw them.
Keep children out of the mowing area and under the
watchful care of a responsible adult.
Be alert and turn the lawn mower off if children enter
the area.
Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs,
trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.
Keep in mind that the operator or user is responsible for
accidents or hazards occurring to other people or their
property.
See the manufacturer's instructions for proper operation
and installation of accessories. Use only the accessories
that are approved by the manufacturer.
Preparation
Thoroughly inspect the area where you will use the
lawn mower, and remove all stones, sticks, wires,
bones, and other foreign objects.
While mowing, always wear substantial footwear and
long trousers.
Do not operate the lawn mower when barefoot or
wearing open sandals.
Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side
shields when operating the lawn mower.
Warning: Gasoline is highly flammable. Take the
following precautions:
– Store fuel in containers specifically designed for this
purpose.
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