I've had my share of chargers and I can't stress to purchase the best charger you can to start with, you wouldn't regret it. I've had this one for 4 years, since purchasing I quit looking. I use a 24v power source as I charge some of my packs at 20 amps.
Some of the larger packs I have, time for monthly maintenance. The part on left is a battery gauge , part on right is a blinky balancer. It can balance a pack by just plugging into the balance plug, also a battery gauge.
Some of the best high end performing batteries out there, (in my opinion, and many others)
http://dinogylipos.com/?no_mobile_theme
The basic go to for a lot of people
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/index.asp. Don't expect any customer service.
Long but very informative thread about lipos.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1577989
They ran not any more dangerous than any other battery when used / charged / discharged properly. Simple common sense like don't throw a 9volt (or really any battery) un protected into the trash, something could cross terminals a cause that magic effect of fire. Biggest thing with lipos is do NOT try to overcharge them , that will cook them and surroundings. Don't damage them as they may become unstable and swell. Don't ask them to preform more than they are capable of. That will lessen their life and cause them to swell. A lot is covered on rc groups threads. Lipos can't be beat for their size a capacity to deliver.
Milliamperes (mah) is basically the size of gas tank
C rating is basically how fast it can empty the tank. Usually this number is grossly inflated.
C rating for charging is how fast you can fill the tank. Usually 1-5 c rating is pretty safe. Some say 20 c but that's 100 amps on a 5000 mah battery, no one makes a 100 amp charger that a hobbiest can purchase.
A little reading and common sense and you will be fine, my biggest advise it the charger, purchase a high quality charger. And there are only about 8-12 actual battery manufactuers worldwide that sell the kinds we use, a lot of rebranding, I use to know the major manufacturers and who was using who's batteries rebranded but lost track of companies as they don't want to share that info
. Kind of like tire manufacturers- only a handful of actual manufactuers but hundreds of brands.
And I'm by far an expert, just personal experience and trusted information from others.