Batteries have become so common we give little thought to them. Almost everyone has a cell phone with a battery. Then there are the hand held games, camera, laptop computer, and on.
If they are handled properly batteries are quite safe but if abused they can cause painful injuries or death.
Most batteries used in hand held devices today are rechargeable. Using the wrong charger can result in a fire or an explosion. While the battery is charging approximately half of the energy is being stored and the other half is being turned into heat inside the battery. When the battery is fully charged then all the power is turned into heat. The heat that is produced, if the charger is not the right one, can cause the moisture inside the cells to turn into steam and result in an explosion of possible lethal force. Sometimes the steam is just released slowly and then a fire can result.
Another way an explosion or fire can result is by carrying the battery in a pocket or purse with the terminals unprotected. If there are keys or coins that come into contact with the terminal shorting them out even if the battery itself does not burn or explode the thing shorting it out can become very hot and result in a burn.
So with small rechargeable batteries be sure they are only charged with a proper charger and they are not carried with the terminals unprotected where shorting can occur. But another battery that needs attention is the vehicle battery.
The car battery is a wet cell thus the liquid inside can spill if they are not handled properly. That liquid contains sulfuric acid and can cause a nasty burn. If you do come in contact with the liquid immediately wash with lots of cold water.
If the lights were lift on until the battery is drained beyond its ability to start the vehicle or if the battery dies for any other reason jump starting the vehicle is best done by a professional tow company. Jump starting a modern vehicle can result in damage to the many electronic devices used in any vehicle manufactured in the past twenty years and some even much earlier. A professional towing company will be reasonable for any damage if there is such. The guy in the parking lot next to your car first may not know what he is doing and if he blows out some part of your car you will have to pay the cost of repair.
There are also dangers of explosion just as, in the smaller batteries, if the jump start is not done correctly.
If handling batteries remove all rings. A car battery can turn it red hot in a small fraction of a second if it becomes shorted
Just a little care and batteries are very save but just a little carelessness and they can be very dangerous.
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