If turning the key in the ignition doesn’t get your car to start, your battery might be dead. In this case, a jump-start could send the required power to your unit to start the vehicle. If you’ve never attempted this before, here are a few mistakes to avoid to ensure you’re safe in the process.

3 Mistakes to Avoid When Jump-Starting Cars

1. Failing to Check for Battery Damage

If the battery is dead, don’t assume a boost will fix the problem. Before starting, check the unit for damage. If it is cracked, rusted, or leaking water, a jump won’t get your car running. Since sending electricity to a damaged battery could result in sparks, don’t proceed with the jump-start.

2. Not Protecting Hands & Eyes 

If the battery dies while you’re on the road, make sure you have the safety gear to perform the jump-start. The battery contains sulfuric acid, so you shouldn’t touch it with bare hands. Sulfuric acid becomes very hot, too, which is why you should put on gloves before touching the equipment. Wearing goggles is also recommended to protect your eyes from the battery liquids.

3. Letting Cables Touch Metal

Being careless with equipment could lead to dangerous accidents. This includes tapping the metal ends of the jumper cables together or letting them touch other metal surfaces. As electricity runs through the cables, metal-on-metal contact could create a spark.

Watching where you put the metal components will help prevent shock. 

If you need a jump-start to get your vehicle back on the road, contact the professionals at Craig's Towing & Repair for your safety. These emergency towing specialists have been providing roadside assistance in Wisconsin’s La Crosse and Sauk counties for over 20 years. If a jump-start doesn’t help, they’ll tow your vehicle to their service shop in La Crosse for repairs. Call (608) 784-1638 to reach the La Crosse location, or (608) 356-7400 for help in Baraboo, Lake Delton, and Wisconsin Dells. Learn more about their work online.