When cutting the wires of a battery inside a vehicle, which cable should be cut first for safety reasons?

Cutting the negative cable first is the safest practice when working with a battery in a vehicle. This action helps to prevent accidental short-circuiting. When you cut the negative cable, you disconnect the battery's ground connection. If any metal tool unintentionally touches a grounded part of the vehicle while you are cutting the positive cable thereafter, it can create a short circuit, leading to sparks or even a fire. By removing the negative cable first, you reduce the risk of such occurrences, as the current cannot flow through an open circuit with the ground disconnected. This procedure is commonly recommended in both emergency response situations and standard vehicle maintenance to ensure the safety of personnel handling batteries.