Are You Storing Your Batteries Correctly?

Many people don’t realize that properly storing hearing aid batteries, alkaline batteries, and rechargeable batteries can both increase their lifespan and improve the performance of the devices that use them. Check out these tips to make sure you’re storing them correctly.

First of all, they should never be left in direct sunlight or in conditions with extreme temperatures. Generally this means they shouldn’t be stored below 30 degrees or above 100 degrees. Ideally they’d be stored in a place that’s cool and dry, and they should be completely charged if you’re planning to store them for an extended period of time.

If you’re one of the many people who throws your batteries in a junk drawer, beware! Neither alkaline nor coin cell batteries should be stored with metal objects such as paper clips, coins, etc. If the batteries come into contact with metal objects they could be short circuited, which could lead to leakage and/or high heat.

In a perfect world, you’d use storage cases that are specifically designed to store batteries. It’s never a good idea to store used or bad batteries alongside good batteries, and it’s essential to keep the tabs on hearing aid batteries until you’re ready to use them. They’re activated once the tab is pulled off, so if you put them in a place where they can reach high temperatures, like a car or near an oven, the adhesive that keeps the tab in place may be eroded.

Storing your battery for your digital camera or camcorder in its charger for more than 24 hours can shorten the life of your battery. On the other hand, it’s not a good idea to leave the battery for your laptop, digital camera, or camcorder dormant, either. That means you should use it at least once every two or three weeks.

Before you put your rechargeable batteries away, clean them off well. When they’re clean, you’ll get a good connection between your battery and its device. Cleaning batteries is simple: just grab a cotton swab, dab it with alcohol, and run it across the battery.

If you’re taking batteries on the road with you, keep them in their original retail packaging. This helps to prevent unintentional activation or short-circuit issues. If you have loose batteries, place a piece of insulated tape across its contacts, then put it in a plastic bag or package. As noted above, keep it away from metal objects like keys, coins, or jewelry.