2008 Mazda RX-8 Owner's Manual - Page 290

Maintenance and Care Owner Maintenance Battery WARNING Wash hands after handling the battery and related accessories: Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Read the following precautions carefully before using the battery or inspecting to ensure safe and correct handling: 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, or on the 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. Keep flames and sparks away from open battery cells and do not allow metal tools to contact the positive ( ) or negative ( ) terminal of the battery when working near a battery. Do not allow the positive ( ) terminal to contact the vehicle body: 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. Keep all flames including cigarettes and sparks away from open battery cells. 8-20