Which of the following is a safety hazard of a 12-volt storage battery that lacks internal protection circuitry?

Answer: B. Shorting the terminals can cause burns, fire, or an explosion

Shorting the terminals can cause burns, fire, or an explosion. A 12-volt storage battery can deliver a huge current through a short, such as a dropped wrench or a ring, which can get red hot and melt. 12 volts usually won't shock you through dry skin, but the short-circuit danger is very real.

Tip: Low voltage, huge current: never short a battery.