Hazards
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Discard swollen or splitting phone batteries immediately rather than keeping them, as one person found the risk not worth it.
One person tossed puffed up and splitting batteries that day because it was not worth the risk.
- Based on one person's experience with a drawer full of old phones.
one person who lived it
Keep batteries separate from loose change and keys in pockets or purses.
Contact with metal objects like coins or keys can cause short circuits that lead to fires or melted materials.
2 people, independently
- Avoid storing spent batteries in jars or bags mixed with other electronic waste or metal objects.1
Do not dispose of steel wool and household batteries in the same trash container.
Contact between the iron in the wool and battery leads completes an electrical circuit, causing a fire within seconds.
one person who lived it
Expect damaged lithium batteries to spray sparks and hazardous smoke rather than explode violently.
The smoke can kill you.
one person who lived it
Use lithium disposable batteries instead of standard alkalines for long-term storage to prevent leakage and messes.
Lithium batteries do not corrode or ruin devices if left in.
one person who lived it
Neutralize battery acid residue with a paste of baking soda and water, which reacts with the acid to form salts.
The base in baking soda neutralizes the acid.
one person who lived it
Use corded drills instead of lithium-ion battery-powered ones in cold weather.
Lithium-ion batteries perform poorly or fail in the cold, while corded tools work regardless of temperature.
one person who lived it
Monitor car batteries closely during hot months.
Heat increases the risk of car battery failure.
one person who lived it
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Remove batteries from old electronic devices before storing them to prevent acid leaks that can ruin the electronics.
Batteries sometimes degrade and leak acid, ruining the device.
one person who lived it
Bag or wrap electronics before storage to prevent dust buildup.
Dust can insulate devices causing overheating, attract moisture leading to leakage, and cause poor contact.
one person who lived it
Move tool batteries from hot sheds, garages, or barns to cooler indoor spaces during summer.
Cooler temperatures prolong battery life and save money on replacements.
one person who lived it
Call ahead to confirm if a specific store location offers battery recycling services.
Recycling availability varies by location; not all stores offer this service.
one person who lived it