How to jump start a dead car battery

• To jump start a dead battery, you will need a second car with a live battery. Pull the two cars as close together as possible, making sure the cars do not touch.  Turn off the engines, remove the keys, engage the emergency breaks and open the hoods on both cars.
• Start with a set of jumper cables. Each end of the jumper cable has two clamps - one red (positive) and one black (negative).  An easy way to remember is to think about the color red (positive) as "hot" or "spicy" or "full of energy"  and black (negative) like the ground.
• With the engine off, attach the red (positive) clamp to the red (positive) battery post on the live car's battery. Then attach the black (negative) clamp to the black (negative) post on the live car's battery.  
• Attach the red (positive) clamp to the red (positive) battery post on the dead car's battery.
• Next, attach the black (negative) clamp to a piece of metal - it can be part of the frame. Do not connect it to the car's black (negative) battery post.
• Start the engine of the live car, followed by the engine of the dead car.
• Let both cars idle for a few minutes to allow enough energy to flow to the dead battery.
• Disconnect the cars beginning with the live car.  Disconnect the black (negative) cable first and then the red (positive) cable.  DO NOT LET THE ENDS OF RED AND BLACK JUMPER CABLES TOUCH.
• Disconnect the jumper cables from the other car. 

Important Tips:

• Always consult the owner's manual of a car before jump starting a dead battery.

• The voltage from a car battery is dangerous, whether the engine is running or not. Do not touch the metal ends of the cables with your hands or touch them to each other.