Organization · Battery safety

Keep Loose 9V Batteries Out of Metal-Filled Junk Drawers

The two terminals of a 9V battery are close together; loose metal can bridge them and cause dangerous heating. Keep the terminals protected.

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Pleasant Valley Fire District warns that loose 9V batteries can heat up if a metallic object touches both terminals. This checklist focuses on preventing short circuits during storage rather than general recycling rules.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

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Identify the two terminals side by side on top of a 9V battery. Never test a short circuit using metal.
Remove loose 9V cells from drawers containing keys, coins, paper clips or foil.
Keep unused cells in original packaging or an individual nonconductive case that prevents metal contact.
Protect both posts on used cells with insulating tape or their original plastic terminal cap, and prevent cells from shifting into each other.
Store in a cool, dry place away from children. If a cell is leaking, swollen or unusually hot, do not reuse or handle casually; seek local hazardous-battery guidance.
Keep terminals protected during transport for disposal and follow local battery collection rules. Do not toss unprotected cells among metal objects in ordinary waste.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

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