Make sure there's a fire extinguisher close by that can handle both grease fires and electrical fires. Do not wear loose clothing or anything that dangles while working under the hood.Car batteries are dangerous in several ways. Notably, they contain hydrogen gas, which is highly explosive..If you must go underneath your car, take every precaution that the car is properly supported. But if you insist on poking around on your own, remember the following:Prepare for the worst. Use support stands placed under the car to keep it from falling on you. Even long hair can get caught in a rapidly moving part, potentially causing serious injury. Put out your cigarette and avoid getting any sparks on the battery. One jack may not be good enough. The stands should be strong enough to calcium sulfonate grease support the weight of the vehicle and not be made of makeshift items found lying around the house. Because cars are so sophisticated today, it's almost always a good idea to have a trained technician get under the hood, and it shouldn't cost you that much if your auto warranty hasn't expired yet or if you have a good vehicle service contract (VSC – often referred to as an extended auto warranty).If you're a real gear head and you know enough about your car that you're confident you can fix something without screwing it up or making it worse, you should still keep in mind some basic safety tips