Everyone Does It, But Here's Why You Shouldn't Store Batteries In A Drawer

Most people have a drawer they use for random items — a junk drawer where everything ends up. Open it, and alongside pens, rubber bands, and a bunch of keys that no one seems to know what they open, you'll almost always find a handful of loose batteries. This may seem like a good place to keep them, but that collection of batteries rolling around has a hidden risk. The main problem is its proximity to any type of metal in the drawer. 

Any household battery, whether AA, AAA, or 9-volt, is basically a container of electrical energy ready for use. If the terminals (the positive and negative connection points) of a battery touch something metal, like a paper clip, a forgotten coin, or even some steel wool, it can create an unintended electrical connection called a short circuit. This accidental connection forces the stored energy in the battery to discharge rapidly, leading to a fast and dangerous buildup of heat. Add to that the scraps of paper or appliance manuals that many people have in their junk drawer, and it can quickly start a fire. Taking a few moments to organize and store your batteries correctly is something you can do to improve the overall safety of your home.

Understanding how a short circuit works explains why a cluttered drawer is the worst place to store batteries. An internal short circuit happens when electricity finds a path from the positive terminal to the negative terminal through a material that conducts power. Once that path is created, a massive amount of current surges through the conductor, generating heat so fast that the temperature can quickly get to hazardous levels. This is a particular concern with 9-volt batteries because their positive and negative contact points are right next to each other on the same end.

Just a tiny piece of metal, such as a scrap of aluminum, a key, or even the casing of another battery, can bridge the gap and start a thermal reaction. While AA and AAA batteries have their terminals on opposite ends, the risk is still there whenever metal (including other batteries) is loose in the drawer. Short circuits can cause the battery to leak, overheat, or even rupture. If a battery begins to overheat, it can ignite any nearby items. Safety experts recommend keeping batteries in their original plastic wrapping or in specialized containers so their metal ends don't come into contact with anything else. This can help you avoid starting a fire with old batteries.

Not storing your batteries the right way can also cut down on their longevity and usefulness. Inside every battery are chemicals, called electrolytes, that make the power generation reaction possible. If the battery gets damaged in some way, the chemicals can leak out. This destroys the battery and also damages everything it touches inside the drawer. Batteries that are constantly rolling back and forth and bumping into other items are more likely to have their casings damaged over time.

Not just how but where you store your batteries also affects how long they last. This is why your garage might not be the best place to store batteries, because areas with extreme hot and cold temperatures can cause batteries to lose their charge faster than those kept at a more stable temperature. This means the batteries are only useful for a short period of time. Many experts agree that batteries should be kept in a cool, dry location between 60 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. The best way to store loose batteries is to put electrical tape over their terminals or put them inside a specialized battery organizer. This keeps them separate and protects them from metal, moisture, and temperature changes.