Avert a battery disaster
- Written by Bayport F.D.
- Published in Fire Safety
- Read 2465 times
- font size decrease font size increase font size
If you follow our advice on changing your batteries in your smoke detectors how do you dispose of that 9 volt battery?
Chances are that it just winds up in the trash. Even for those of you who are environmentally conscious, do you take any precautions?
A couple of things to keep in mind. The 9 volt battery has its terminals at the top next to each other. All it takes is something to touch the two contacts together and you're generating electricity. Even though its only a 9 volt battery, it can produce enough heat to start a fire. Check out this video
Now don't be scared, you don't have to buy a garbage can for each battery you dispose of. Simply take a piece of electric tape (Electric tape is typicaly black and is rubbery and stretchy) and tape the terminals so nothing can accidently touch the terminals.
Stay Safe!