stands are far safer than a jack.

1. Never trust a jack. Rather buy some sturdy stands and use them whenever you need to crawl underneath the car.

2. Remove the earth strap (almost always the negative pole) at the battery, to avoid accidentally activating the starter, starting a fire, or heating up your jewellery or watch, if you accidentally touch an open wire.

3. Make sure that all electrical components are switched off when you remove the strap, otherwise a spark may occur, which could cause the battery to explode.

placing a tool on the battery is an easily made mistake that can lead to a fire or a battery explosion.

4. Never leave tools on the battery, where they might short the terminals and create a spark.

5. Keep loose clothing and long hair away from moving parts.

6. Wear eye protection when your eyes are at risk, such as when you grind, or drill upside down.

7. Don't overfill the sump, or any other reservoir, because it may cause damage to the seals, or an even more serious malfunction.

8. Don't remove the radiator cap from a hot cooling system. If you
really have to open up, use a cloth over the cap, and stand to one side, releasing it slowly.

9. Don't add cold water to a hot engine, because the subsequent distortion may cause damage. If you have no choice, pour the water in slowly while the engine is running.

10. Don't allow small children or animals near the car while working on it.

11. Keep a fire extinguisher near your working space.

12. Don't try to extinguish a fuel or electrical fire with water; rather use sand.

13. Take care when carrying a battery, or working with one, because spilt acid will eat holes in your clothes and irritate your skin.

14. Don't run the engine for long in an enclosed space.

15. Petrol is unpredictable, especially in vapour form and, just because you've spilt fuel onto a hot pipe once and nothing happened, you cannot assume that it will be safe next time.