Kickback occurs when the tip of the blade touches the wood. Faithfully avoid touching the wood at either the tip or the top side of the blade. Touching the tip will kick the saw up and back toward the operator at lightning speed. Touching the wood with the top side will pull the saw out of the operator’s hands. Both situations can cause serious injury and/or damage to the operator, nearby persons, and surrounding equipment. Always be aware of the material being cut. Such things as nails and other hard objects can cause kickback and damage to the chain blade. This will cause a serious malfunction. Always stand to the side of the cutting path of the chain. Never be off balance or overreach while cutting. Always wear and use proper safety equipment such as hand and eye protection. Always be alert to shifting or falling tree limbs. Binding and pinching of the chainblade will occur and cause difficulty in handling. To store the chainsaw between operations, find a clear, flat space and lay the saw on the space. Another option is to hang the chainsaw in an out of the way space. If the chainsaw is out of use for a period of time, shut off the hydraulic power source to prevent unnecessary heat and wear on the chainsaw and hoses. Always run the chain at full speed when cutting.