Fire Safety: How to keep 9-volt batteries from burning down your house.

[1monster]

#t=284

[1monster]

1. From the comments section (re: other types of batteries storage)

~ OMG! ** 3 months ago I put my batteries in a International Coffees’ tin next to my computer, later I smelled something odd. Luckily I searched with my nose and found that the tin with the AA and AAA batteries was finger-blistering hot and so were the other batteries in it smelling like a chemical fire. 2 batteries were upright and touching both the bottom & top of the tin causing them to heat up! I am so thankful My HOUSE didnt’ BURN down. PLEASE DON’T STORE YOUR BATTERIES IN METAL CONTAINERS! TAPE THE POSTS OF YOUR 9-VOLTS! PLEASE COPY & PASTE THIS! Save a life ~Sally Schiefer

[bobalew]

3. Yes, & don't EVER put a 9v battery in your pocket with your keys!

Excuse me here, but doesn't ANYONE REMEMBER Jr. High Science classes?
For Crying out loud! How Ignorant have we become, that this is a "Critical " Life saving, warning?
Has the Media & TV dumbed us down THAT MUCH?
I guess then we need to make sure we don't store our Propane tanks & Lighter fluid Next to the water heater, TOO!
That also goes for Paint rags & other flammables, and Please, don't store your metal Battery storage container there, also.....
Do I really have to post that "Sarcasm' Thingy here?

[Major Nikon]

9. I saw a guy set his pants on fire

After we got him put out I told him if he's going to steal batteries from work, he should put a piece of tape over the terminals.

[passiveporcupine]

14. While I understand how to keep batteries safe

I never learned this in science class. I figured it out on my own. Don't assume this happens in spite of education.

[AtheistCrusader]

2. I keep all new batteries in the factory containers.

I usually get a brick of 9v's, 8 or 10 to a pack. I don't take them out until I'm ready to put it in the smoke detector.

[wandy]

4. Even more care should be taken when disposing of Lithium ion batteries.........

True, even lowly flashlight battery can generate fire starting enegery if shorted. As the video points out the common 9V battery has a unique problem. Tapeing over the terminals is good practices especially if they are going to sit around in a recycle bin for any length of time.
Lithium ion batteries as those found in laptops pose a somewhat greater risk. Even a "dead" battery can deliver enough current to cause problems.

The downside: Lithium ion batteries contain an electrolyte (lithium salt) dissolved in a highly flammable solvent. If the batteries short-circuit, they could overhead--causing failure, and sometimes making them erupt in flames.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/127029/article.html

Although the connections are usually reassessed a bit of tape adds an extra margin of safety no matter how you dispose of them.

[bobalew]

7. Agree, these are highly dangerous "Energy Pills" especially when fully charged.

The Max temp to keep them from self immolating is 80 degrees C. So don't put them in a fire or a potentially overheating situation. I see the "Murphy's Law" results every week of these little stinkers, and they are so endemic in modern technology, you need to be aware of what is powered by LiOn cells, also. the electrolyte is a suspension of polypropylene gel, especially the rechargeable ones.
They may not start a fire, if properly manufactured, but can cause a nasty 3rd degree burn, if mishandled, or abused. The energy density is very high, even if "Discharged", since they stop before that actually reaches 0 volts. each cell is capable of 3.7 volts, in the rechargeable versions.

[Flying Squirrel]

5. ...

http://thehomesteadsurvival.com/dropdown-battery-dispenser-diy/

[cyberswede]

6. Neat...I see a 4H project for my kiddo!

Thanks for posting.

[mucifer]

8. Wow I had no idea Just put tape on the tips of my batteries in my bag o batteries

is this just for 9V or any other batteries? I put tape on them all.

[1monster]

10. All batteries. Nine-volts are just more likely to short than other batteries, but other

batteries can short too.

[Major Nikon]

11. 9v batteries are the biggest problem

Most other batteries are single cell, meaning lower voltage and the terminals are on opposite ends of the device. 9v batteries have both terminals close together.

Many new 9v batteries come with plastic covers for the terminals. Keep them on until ready for use and save them for when you dispose of the battery.

[Shampoobra]

12. k&r (nt)

[Spitfire of ATJ]

13. 9V batteries are actually six AAAA batteries in a single case....

Which inspired this:

And this:

[John Wirth Jr]

15. I have filled for a patent that fixes this problem permanently

After watching the video on Facebook months ago about the dangers of 9 volt batteries and the potential fire hazard, a simple solution occurred to me. After further research and a thorough patent search, I filled for the patent to fix this problem about 2 months ago. Due to the battery manufacturer's standard operating procedures, none of them are willing to look at it until the full patent has been granted and the patent has become public knowledge (as I anticipated), which can take up to a few years in many cases. During this time, how many more houses could burn down and people, pets or families possibly destroyed? Is even one acceptable? Is just the risk itself even acceptable if there is a simple solution available to solve the problem.
Because I truly believe this is a public safety issue, we believe the best way to go about getting it in front of the manufacturer's is through a press release and one of the battery associations has agreed to publish it in their weekly and monthly newsletters when we do. . If there is anybody out there who could help us accomplish this or is interested in hearing more about it please contact me at [e-mail] subject line: 9 volt batteries. Thank you.