Potential car owners are usually excited about the prospect of owning a car; most never imagine that some emergencies would require them to go underneath the vehicle. You might not be a professional mechanic, but calling one every time you have a flat tire could be expensive in the end. That being said, learning how to use a car jack could be the difference between staying safe and exposing yourself to life-threatening situations. The pointers highlighted in this article demonstrate some safety tips when using a car jack.

Block Wheels -- Whether you want to change your tires or just want to check your brakes, a car jack will help you to get underneath the vehicle easily. However, as you lift the car, its orientation changes as it tends to lean on one side. Such a situation makes the car vulnerable to rolling depending on which side it is elevated. Most importantly, before you begin lifting the car jack, you must secure the tires from going. For instance, if you are changing a rear tire, place a brick or wood block on both sides of one of the front tires and vice-versa.

Always Park on Level Ground -- Using a car jack is safer on level ground because the chances of the car rolling are reduced significantly. As such, if you have the opportunity, always try to park on level ground as much as possible if you intend to use a car jack. That being said, there is no guarantee that you will always get a flat tire on the level ground. That does not mean that you cannot use the jack on sloping ground. In the event you need to use a jack on a hill and cannot find level ground, simply park near a curb and turn the tires inwards. The curb will act as a block to the downward-facing wheels and prevent the car from rolling.

Always Carry thin Boards -- Just as you cannot predict where you would use a car jack, it is hard to guess the conditions under which you might be using it. If you want to change a tire on the firm ground, you can use the jack as it is. However, there will be cases where you will be forced to work on the loose or wet ground. To cater for such instances, make sure that you always carry a couple of thin, foot-long pieces of boards. You should place these beneath the car jack for stability whenever working on the weak ground.

Contact a company that carries hydraulic equipment for more information and assistance.