BATTERIES - USE THEM SAFELY

By Alma Copeland, Home Economist
TEAM Resources

Batteries are an item so commonly needed for the operation of toys and home equipment that we often become complacent about handling them and overlook potentially dangerous conduct.

Batteries contain harmful substances, such as acids and heavy metals. If batteries are not correctly used, stored and discarded these harmful substances may leak or the batteries may overheat and burst. Read and follow all instructions on the battery packaging.

Safety Tips to rigorously follow:

• Install batteries correctly by lining up the "+" on the battery and in the battery compartment of the product.
• Do not use different types of batteries together.
  • Do not mix old batteries with new ones.
  • Do not mix alkaline, carbon or other types of batteries.
  • Do not mix rechargeable batteries with non-rechargeable batteries.
  • Do not mix batteries of different brands.
• Only recharge batteries that are clearly labeled as rechargeable. Use the correct battery charger for the battery type.
• Remove batteries from an item that will not be used for a long time.
• Store batteries in the original packaging in a cool, dark place. Keep away from household chemicals and food.
• Keep batteries out of reach of children.
• Do not place batteries where they can touch metal, such as loose change in a pocket.
• Never discard batteries in a fire.
• Rechargeable batteries can be recycled at retail outlets that participate in the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) program. In Saskatoon these outlets include Prairie Mobile Communications, Sears, Staples, London Drugs, Canadian Tire, Battery Boys, Home Depot, The Bay, Zellers, Wireless Age, Circuit City, Sasktel Safety & Environment, Audio Warehouse, Makita Canada, Prairie Communications, and Wattcomm.

  RBRC is a non-profit service organization dedicated to recycling used rechargeable batteries and old cell phones. They collect Nickel Cadmium (Ni- Cd), Nickel Metal Hydrate (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion), and Small Sealed Lead (Pb) from rechargeable batteries that power a variety of portable electronic products such as cellular and cordless phones, power tools, laptop computers, camcorders, two-way radios and digital cameras.

• Regular non-rechargeable (alkali) batteries are no longer considered a hazardous waste. Since 1996, manufacturers have removed 'virtually 'all mercury from these batteries. Older batteries do contain mercury and should be disposed by dropping off at a retail outlet that recycles the rechargeable batteries.

Toys with Batteries

• Only adults should install batteries.
• Check that young children cannot open a toy's battery compartment.
• Make sure that a child does not take a battery-operated toy to bed.
• Call a doctor or poison control centre right away if a child swallows a battery.

Batteries are a necessary in every home. Just be sure to handle them with extra care.

For more information contact Product Safety, Health Canada. 1-866-662-0666