Every household uses batteries, but despite this, many people don’t know how to safely store them. Some people grew up hearing that they should store batteries in the refrigerator to help prolong their lifespan, while others shove batteries into any spare drawer in the house. No matter what kind of batteries you use, from big ones for a portable oxygen concentrator to AAs for a TV remote, you need to know how to safely store batteries in your home. Keep reading to get some helpful tips.
Store Away From Children and Pets
Children and pets have a way of getting into the exact spots you don’t want them to, even with preventative measures. Small batteries are choking hazards for these little ones, and battery acid is toxic when ingested, so you need to store batteries where they can’t reach. High shelves or cabinets where the adults in the home can still easily reach them are ideal since you don’t want to keep them out of reach in case of an emergency. Make sure this high spot doesn’t experience high humidity or extreme temperature changes, as both can damage batteries before you even get to use them.
Store Them Charged
Some batteries provide a one-and-done job. Keep those batteries separate from rechargeable ones, and don’t put dead rechargeable batteries back with charged ones. This way, you never have to wonder whether your backup oxygen concentrator battery is ready to go or worry that you’ve put the wrong battery in your portable radio. If possible, charge up your batteries as soon as they die, then put them back with the other charged batteries. You won’t have to worry about losing one this way.
Don’t Let Them Touch
If you dump a few boxes of batteries in a drawer together, you run the risk of them bumping together and short-circuiting. While storing them all in one place will help keep you organized, you need to either use a designated organizer that will keep the different types separate or keep them in their original packaging. This prevents short-circuiting and keeps the batteries and your home safe.
These tips for safe battery storage in your home should protect your batteries, your loved ones, and your home from any potential problems. Storing batteries properly will prolong their lifespan, make them easy to find, and ensure they never fall into the wrong hands.
