15 Most Unnecessary Instructions Ever (PHOTOS)

When it comes to ripping open that brand new product you've been excited about, nothing is more of a buzz-kill than having to read a 12-page instructional manual. But leaving consumers without instructions is a huge liability for product makers, which is why brands try to make it easy for us by providing short, concise directions that get their points across without drowning us in legal jargon.

Sometimes, though, product instructions are simplified so much that they become downright unnecessary -- and equally hilarious. We've rounded up some of the most unnecessary product instructions on the internet. Remember, "Better safe than sorry!" Vote for your favorites below.

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Comments

[GingerxGrayce]

03:49 AM on 07/29/2011

Actually, #6 can come in handy. Some microwaves have that 'quick' mode or something, where the number equals that many minutes (like the sign), but most I've ever seen are where you punch in how long you want the item to be cooked, (1 and 5 for 15 seconds, etc...) I was getting quite frustrated with our new one when I kept hitting the 3, trying to go for 30 secs. and it kept going to 3 minutes automatically...

If someone just punches the numbers and doesn't pay attention to the display, and then just walks away, they'll be in for some very over cooked or burnt food.

[dorree1122]

02:54 PM on 07/27/2011

You forgot the envelope that has a square in the right hand corner and says: "place stamp here"

[beninabox1]

08:53 PM on 07/26/2011

The Ketchup thing seems very tongue in cheek.

[theGrumpster]

04:05 AM on 07/26/2011

the microwave settings were/are definitely helpful and worth a printout

[BlackJAC]

08:38 PM on 07/25/2011

You have to remember that they wouldn't have put those instructions/warnings on the box unless somebody had already done just that and filed a frivolous lawsuit as a result.

[GenuineNerd]

07:19 PM on 07/25/2011

Remember this all-time classic instruction, on matchbooks..."Close Cover Before Striking".

[GenuineNerd]

07:09 PM on 07/25/2011

I saw this on a 17-inch SUV tire once...."Mount Only On 17-Inch Rim".

[txvoltaire]

05:41 PM on 07/25/2011

My favorite is the warning label on sleeping pills: "May cause drowsiness". Maybe we should put one one on a box of laxatives: "May make you want to go to the bathroom!"

[GenuineNerd]

07:15 PM on 07/25/2011

Or the "truth in advertising" line from the long-forgotten Dudley Moore movie "Crazy People":
"Metamucil. It makes you want to go to the toilet. If not, you'll get cancer and die."

[arochotech]

04:19 PM on 07/25/2011

No wonder the pizza tasted like cardboard!!!...

[hangdogit]

03:30 PM on 07/25/2011

Yes, these are funny.

But what we need is better warnings on tobacco products, like:

"Caution: Smoking reduces life expectancy by 10 years."

"Smoke these things only if you're ready to die."

"OK, smoke them if you must -- but even faster suicide methods are available."

[GenuineNerd]

07:12 PM on 07/25/2011

How about, "DANGER-POISON HARMFUL OR FATAL IF SMOKED" (The all caps are intentional, to mimic danger labels on hazardous/toxic/poison products.)

[LivelyLexie]

03:19 PM on 07/25/2011

The best? Pop Tarts: "remove pastry from pouch". People have to be told these things?!

[BlackJAC]

08:39 PM on 07/25/2011

Yes.  When I worked at a Verizon Wireless store, a woman came in saying her phone wasn't working anymore after she put in a new battery and gave it an all-night recharge just like the instructions said.  I hit the power button and it worked fine.

[furby6]

03:18 PM on 07/25/2011

Where can I get me some of them butt hats?

[addisonsteele]

02:42 PM on 07/25/2011

I arrived late at a business lunch one day and most had already ordered. There was an open bottle of a high-end California wine on the table and, rather than wait for the waiter, I poured some into my glass. It was then that I noticed a line printed at the bottom of the label on the front: Open Other End.

[MissMel10]

02:23 PM on 07/25/2011

Sad thing is, some people really do NEED such basic instructions. *lol*

[Ladydei]

01:52 PM on 07/25/2011

So far, no one was able to guess what this warning label came from:

WARNING!!! To avoid severe personal injury when riding escalators and moving walkways:
- Stand in the middle of the step facing forward
- Do not contact any surface next to the moving step or tread
- Step carefully when getting on or off
- Hold children's hand & supervise children at all times

Give up? Yeah, you'll never guess... It's from the label that was affixed to a pair of (Crocs) sandals!!! I swear... no other warnings on them but clearly they're reeeeeally scared of "moving walkways"!!

2nd favorite was from a throw rug - "Care should be exercised near source of ignition"... I just love passive sentence structure warnings, don't you? How about "Do not place near fire!!!!!"

yes some of the ones posted were certainly meant to be humourous (Heinz, eg) but sadly, some of them were likely brought about by previous lawsuits. I say, enough with the warnings... let Darwin's Law sort it all out...

[Remy J Boudaire]

10:09 AM on 07/26/2011

here is the reason

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H3zYMIl6XU