It’s easy to overlook the potential dangers of used batteries, but these seemingly harmless items can still hold enough energy to cause a fire if not handled properly. We’ve seen firsthand the damage that can occur when discharged batteries come into contact with metal objects.

The Unexpected Heat of a Thermostat Battery

You are trying to do some streaming, but the remote is not responding. Do you shake it? Do you point it at the tv more directly? Still not working? You may try taking the batteries out and putting them back in but still, no go. Finally, you make the decision to replace them. Now, what do you do with the old ones? Be careful. Batteries that have lost their operational abilities still can have stored energy.

The first time I saw this; I was riding on a hotel elevator with a maintenance person. Suddenly this guy yelled out, “HOT!” and dropped to the floor. He began to empty out his pocket and there amongst the contents on the floor was the cause of his discomfort, a thermostat battery.

If you have ever seen one of these, they are about the size of a button. He had just finished changing it out in one of the rooms and placed the used one in his pocket. It had come in contact with something that created a heating event. Who knows what it was, many items came out of his pocket. Nail clippers, a pocketknife, two small screwdrivers and a bunch of loose change were all lying on the elevator floor after he was rolling around trying to stop the heat. Any of those items could have come in contact with the used battery to create that event. It was humorous watching him squirm on the floor, there were no physical burns, but that guy sure felt the heat.

House Fires Started by Used Batteries

Batteries coming in contact with metals have also caused house fires. In one case, a man was changing out the nine-volt batteries in their homes smoke detectors. He saved them for his child who had a couple of toys that took the nine volts and tossed the used ones into a junk drawer.

I have always been impressed how trained fire personnel can find the origin of a fire and in this case, after the house had burned to the ground, they found that one of those nine-volt batteries had come in contact with some steel wool creating a heating event that started the contents of the drawer to burn. That fire origin eventually spread to the entire home.

In another event, a dad was watching late night football when the remote began to fail. He changed out the batteries and tossed the old ones into a small garbage can that was next to the couch. He did this right before he went to bed. Once again, a heating event occurred and created a fire. Everyone made it out safely, but that event resulted in substantial damage to the house. The investigator had found that one of those used batteries had come in contact with a staple that was attached to some discarded papers.

Safe Storage Practices for All Batteries

There are many more documented fires that are caused by the disposal or storage of batteries so, much thought should go into both. Keep fresh batteries in their original containers. Don’t let them end up in drawers where they can roll around and potentially come in contact with something that could cause a heating event. If the original container is damaged, store them the same way they appeared in the package (positive side up), wrap them in tape or use rubber bands to hold them upright. I was recently in one of those home improvement stores and saw a battery box for storage. It was called the Battery Buddy; it stores several assorted sizes and would be a great container to have, especially if your battery inventory is large.

Proper Disposal Methods for Used Batteries

For disposal, try and find a recycler, this is the best method but storing those used batteries until you are ready to deliver them should be done the same way I described storing fresh ones. Positive side up and held. Think of how new batteries look in their original package and duplicate that for storage. Some batteries come in boxes and saving your empty boxes can be helpful for the storage of used batteries. Write used on the box, so you don’t confuse them with the good ones. If there is no place to take your used batteries for recycling in your area and disposal is your only option, cover the ends by wrapping them in electrical tape before you toss it in the trash. This method will prevent them from coming in contact with anything that could cause a heating event. All of these tips are good preventative measures to protect your family from fires caused by batteries.

Example of Battery Fire

The video below show this danger of in proper disposing of batteries and how they can start fires.

Learn More About Fire Safety

We also offer comprehensive Fire Safety training designed to equip you and your team with the knowledge and skills to prevent, respond to, and safely evacuate in the event of a fire. Our experienced instructors provide practical insights into fire hazards, including those that might be less obvious, like the improper handling of batteries. We offer this training online and in-person across Georgia and South Carolina. Request a training here, or join one of our upcoming Fire Safety classes here.

Remember, even if a battery no longer powers your devices, it can still hold enough residual energy to cause a dangerous heating event. By following these simple storage and disposal tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of battery-related fires and protect your home and loved ones.