Since 1988, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has received over 100 reports of household batteries leaking, overheating, and rupturing. This permits corrosive liquid to leak, which can cause chemical burns. About one-third of the incidents involved injuries, a number of which were chemical burns to children from the leaking battery liquid. Household batteries can overheat and rupture in several ways:
- Re-charging the wrong battery or using the wrong charger. If you try to re-charge a battery not intended to be re-charged, the battery can overheat and rupture. If you have a re-chargeable battery, be sure to use the proper battery charger intended for the size and type of battery you have. Do not use an automobile battery charger to re-charge flashlight batteries because the batteries could rupture.
- Mixing batteries. If you use alkaline and carbon-zinc batteries together in the same appliance or if you mix old batteries with new freshly-charged ones in the same appliance, the batteries can overheat and rupture. Always use a complete set of new batteries of the same type when replacing batteries.
- Putting batteries in backwards. If a battery is reversed (positive end where the negative end belongs and vice versa), it can overheat and rupture. This has happened when young children install batteries backwards. Warn children not to take out batteries or install them. Parents should install batteries in household appliances and children’s toys.
