How to jump-start a car safely

Safety first

Position the cars so the cables reach, engines off, both in Park/neutral with the handbrake on. Never jump a frozen or leaking battery.

The correct order

1. Connect red (+) to the dead battery positive
2. Connect the other red (+) to the good battery positive
3. Connect black (−) to the good battery negative
4. Connect the last black (−) to bare metal on the dead car — NOT the battery
5. Start the good car, wait a minute, then start the dead car
6. Remove cables in the reverse order

Why connect the last clamp to metal?

Spark from the final connection is normal. Connecting it to the engine block or a bolt, away from the battery, avoids igniting hydrogen gas that batteries can emit.