2008 Mazda RX-8 Owner's Manual - Page 263

In Case of an Emergency Emergency Starting Jump-Starting Jump-starting is dangerous if done incorrectly. So follow the procedure carefully. If you feel unsure about jump-starting, we strongly recommend that you have a competent service technician do the work. WARNING Follow These Precautions Carefully: To ensure safe and correct handling of the battery, read the following precautions carefully before using the battery or inspecting it. Always wear eye protection when working near the battery: Working without eye protection is dangerous. Battery fluid contains SULFURIC ACID which could cause blindness if splashed into your eyes. Also, hydrogen gas produced during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to explode. Wear eye protection and protective gloves to prevent contact with battery fluid: Spilled battery fluid is dangerous. Battery fluid contains SULFURIC ACID which could cause serious injuries if it gets in eyes, skin or clothing. If this happens, immediately flush your eyes with water for 15 minutes or wash your skin thoroughly and get medical attention. Always keep batteries out of the reach of children: Allowing children to play near batteries is dangerous. Battery fluid could cause serious injuries if it gets in the eyes or on the skin. Do not allow the positive ( ) terminal to contact any other metal object that could cause sparks: Flames and sparks near open battery cells are dangerous. Hydrogen gas, produced during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to explode. An exploding battery can cause serious burns and injuries. When working near a battery, do not allow metal tools to contact the positive ( ) or negative ( ) terminal of the battery. 7-19