Best practices for connecting battery, to min explosion risk?

[TurnAround]

Just got back from vacation. Batt safety question for you guys.

I've always disconnected the batteries of all three cars before leaving so that the batts don't drain down to plate damaging levels (with alarms, that degradation starts in only four days). I disconnect the positive, then place some kind of thick insulating material in between the terminal and the cable (chunk of rubber usually). When I get back, I reconnect. Out of guessing.. superstition .. etc, I've always connected battery terminals 'quickly' because I've noticed it is less likely to spark.

It occurred to me yesterday.. hmm.. I wonder how likely it is that a battery could explode? Did some research; While not very common, it does happen all the time. Triggered by the micro spark of connecting the cable or a jump cable, any lingering hydrogen gas outside the battery (usually only likely with older slightly leaky batteries) instantly ignites, and then finds a way into the interior of the battery. One thing the articles are clear on, is that the resulting plastic shrapnel and acid flying out from the battery causes severe injury, and possibly kills the individual.

So there I am reconnecting the X.. and because our rear clam shells won't work unless the battery is already connected, I'm performing this work from inside the car with the cargo lid off and me hunched straight over the battery compartment. Hmm.. could this be any worse of a position to perform this! I do it quickly, but yeah.. there is a small spark.

So, any recommendations?; Disconnect the negative instead (a more obscured cable lead on the X5 btw)? Put on protective gear and lay your body down off to the side as low as possible? Figure out a way to open the rear clam shell without the battery connected? Find a neighbor you're not all that fond of to connect it for you?

One thing's for sure. I've decided not to offer other motorists a jump off my batt for their dead battery. No reason to increase the number of opportunities for an explosive incident. Even if the other guy did it, there's the (tremendous) damage to your own car.

Thx