Another hazard of the automotive battery is the hydrogen gas produced. When working around one of these, a spark can ignite the gas and cause the gas to ignite and blow open the case. At that point, flying sulfuric acid in your eyes will cause blindness after a short contact period.
How I wish that I could teach many of those whose work I see in telecommunications and get it through their heads the dangers of having multiple batteries sitting there on the floor with open terminals.
Shane
