Adhering to the well-used maxim, better safe than sorry, a jumper (or booster) cable is a recommended gadget for motorists to always have in their vehicle.

It happens — a battery goes dead and the only way to start the vehicle is through a jump-start.

However improper use of the cable may create addition problems for an unsuspecting motorist.

According to Clive McLean, chief technician at Tropical Battery, the positive end of the cable should be attached to the battery and the negative end to the engine or body of the vehicle.

“Any spark could ignite fumes coming from the battery. That could cause an explosion as hydrogen could be escaping (from the battery),” he cautioned.

McLean said that the engine block gives the perfect ground but anywhere on the body is OK once the ground is effective. “The spot should be clean and without corrosion.”

The jumper cable typically has black and red cables attached to clips at either end.

Using the jumper cable, power is transferred from a live battery in another vehicle to start the disabled vehicle.

In commencing the process the positive terminals of both dead and charged batteries must be identified.

* First, connect the positive end of the cable to the positive terminal of the dead battery.

* Then connect the other end of the positive cable to the positive of the live battery.

* Connect the negative cable to negative terminal of the live or charged battery.

* Connect the other end of the negative cable to the engine block or body of the stalled vehicle away from the battery. Do not connect the negative end of the cable to the battery.

* Start the vehicle with the live battery then the vehicle with the dead battery.

* Remove the cables in reverse order of connection.

Your jump-start was successful. Now get your battery tested.

Incidentally to clean battery terminals McLean recommends washing the battery with baking soda solution. “After that corrosion may then be washed off with clean water.”