The proper handling of primary batteries

1) Do not reverse the positive and negative terminals

A device that uses three or more batteries may operate even if one battery is inserted reversely. If the battery inserted reversely is recharged, however, it may become hot, leak, or explode.

2) Do not short-circuit the battery

Do not connect the positive and negative terminals of a battery with a metallic object. Do not carry or store a battery together with necklaces, hair pins, coins, keys, or other metallic items. Metallic objects may short-circuit the positive and negative terminals of the battery, resulting in the flow of a large electrical current that may cause heat generation, explosion or fire, or generate heat in the metallic object.
Batteries may also short-circuit each other, so do not carry or store several button batteries or other types of batteries together.
Positive and negative terminals of 9V square type alkaline batteries, in particular, can be short-circuited by wedging coin-type small batteries in between them, resulting in a recharging or over-discharging, causing them to explode or catch fire.

3) Do not recharge dry and lithium primary batteries

Do not recharge dry and lithium primary batteries. They are not designed to be recharged, and doing so may result in an accident (heat generation or explosion).

4) Do not use different types or used and new or different brands of batteries together

The use of a mixture of different types or brands of battery, or of used and new batteries even of the same brand or type, may result in heat generation, leakage, explosion, or fire. When replacing the batteries, use new batteries of the same types and brands.

5) When batteries run down, remove them as soon as possible

Remove the batteries as soon as they become run down. Otherwise, the batteries may leak and damage the device.

6) Do not heat batteries

Heating batteries may cause them to leak or explode.

7) Do not apply solder directly to batteries

Do not apply solder directly to the terminals of a battery. Soldering batteries is dangerous, because the heat will melt the insulator, creating an internal short-circuit, and leading to heat generation, explosion, and fire.

8) Do not disassemble or modify batteries

Disassembling a battery is dangerous and may result in explosion or fire, and the content may cause chemical burns.

9) Do not deform a battery

Squashing, drilling, or cutting a battery is dangerous as it may result in leaking or exploding.

10) Do not throw a battery into a fire

Do not throw a battery into a fire or heat it. This is dangerous and could result in generating heat, exploding, or catching fire.

11) Keep batteries out of reach of children

Keep batteries out of reach of children as they may accidentally swallow them. In the event that children swallow a battery, immediately consult a doctor. In addition, do not allow children to remove batteries from inside devices. Do not allow animals to play with batteries.

12) Remove the batteries from devices that will not be used for a long time

Even when the device is turned off, the power in the battery is slowly draining. This may result in leakage, so please remove the batteries when the device will not be used for a long time (excluding emergency devices).
Place these batteries separately in a case or otherwise place them so as to avoid short-circuiting.

13) Flush with water to remove battery electrolyte from skin or clothing

If the battery leaks and its electrolyte comes into contact with skin or clothes, wash the contact area with clean water. If battery electrolyte gets into the eye, flush immediately with clean water and consult a doctor immediately.

14) Turn off battery-powered devices when not in use

The cause of leakage in many cases is the failure to turn off the device. So please turn off devices when they are no longer in use.

15) Do not store batteries in a location subject to high humidity and temperatures where they are exposed to direct sunlight.

The ideal environment for people is also the ideal environment for storing batteries. High humidity may cause condensation on batteries, resulting in short-circuiting. Leaving a battery in a location subject to high temperatures for a long time will reduce the battery performance.

16) Do not get batteries wet

Getting a battery wet with water, salt water, juice or other liquids can result in short-circuiting and rust.

17) Do not remove the battery label

Do not remove or damage the battery label.
Removing or damaging the label makes the battery easier to short-circuit, and may result in leakage, overheating or explosion.

18) Use batteries within the recommended period

Batteries used within the recommended period will deliver the performance prescribed by JIS. Purchasing spare batteries for later use is acceptable if they are used within the recommended period.

19) Beware of fake and modified batteries

Batteries with no manufacturer or distributor names displayed or with no warning labels may be fake or modified batteries. Fake and modified batteries may have damaged or no safety mechanisms that prevent accidents. This is dangerous and may result in explosion or fire. Be careful not to purchase these batteries.

The proper handling of primary batteries – Related topics

• Instructions when using zinc-air batteries for hearing aids.
• Do not recharge lithium primary batteries.