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Using Batteries Safely


 Using Batteries Safely

Batteries power so many of our electronics today, from remotes and toys to radios and flashlights. Sam Houston Electric Cooperative wants to remind members to keep safety considerations in mind when storing, using and disposing of batteries.

Always read and following manufacturers’ instructions. Use the correct size and type of battery for each device, and be sure to insert batteries with the positive and negative terminals properly aligned.

It is important to store batteries in a dry, secure location that is kept at normal room temperature. Cells exposed to extreme heat can leak.

Batteries that are easy to access can be hazardous when they are within the reach of small children. Be sure to store them in a safe location. It is also important to check the covers of battery compartments to ensure that they are closed and functioning properly to prevent access by children.

Some batteries, such as button batteries, are quite small and could be mistaken for pills or candy. Hearing aid cells are particularly small. Do not place them anywhere near where medicine or food is stored.

The consumption of batteries by children is a serious safety concern. A swallowed battery could possibly get stuck or cause tissue burns or other damage to the esophagus or digestive tract. If someone is suspected to have swallowed a battery of any kind, immediately call the 24-hour National Battery Ingestion Hotline at (202) 625-3333.

Also, remember to promptly remove and safely dispose of dead batteries. Some dead batteries have been known to leak, so it is best to safely dispose of them right away.

Do not mix old and new batteries because doing so could possibly cause the batteries to leak or rupture. It’s best to replace all the batteries in a device at the same time.

Rechargeable, lithium, lithium-ion and zinc-air batteries should be recycled. It is a good idea to get into a habit of putting old batteries in a plastic bag that can be sealed and delivered to a battery recycling center. To find a battery recycling location near you, visit call2recycle.org.

POSTED BY RACHEL FREY, CCC, COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST