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In the News -
December 2007
What you need to know about batteries
LITTLE ROCK - Many of the items purchased at Christmas operate on battery
power. While inserting a couple of AAs batteries to make something work seems
easy enough, mishandled or badly stored batteries could damage your new gift.
Kerry Rodtnick, a communications specialist and video expert with the
University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Kerry Rodtnick has some
tips to keep a battery accident from happening to you.
- Replace all batteries in a device at the same time. Partially used
batteries can drain other batteries in the device more quickly.
- When the warning says not to use two different kinds of batteries, pay
attention.
- Don’t store batteries in toys or electronics for extended periods of
time. They’ll corrode, ruining the battery and possibly the device. Rodtnick
says, "If you don't use your flashlight regularly, store its batteries next
to it in case of an emergency.”
- When storing a battery, leave it in the original package.
- Store batteries in a cool, dark location - away from water and food and
household chemicals.
- Keep batteries out of reach of your children.
- Most batteries have an expiration date printed on the battery or
packaging. Don’t use a battery after that date.
- Storing batteries in a refrigerator doesn’t extend a battery’s life
significantly. It could actually cause issues with food contamination. Also,
placing a battery in a device directly from the refrigerator will cause
problems.
- When buying batteries for your child's Christmas toys, consider
rechargeable batteries. They not only protect the environment, they protect
your pocket book.
- Buying cheaper batteries doesn't always add up. Sometimes these
batteries don’t last as long -- and you have to purchase batteries more
often.
Rodtnick encourages battery recycling. "Though most alkaline and rechargeable
batteries can safely be placed in the trash - larger cell phone, camera, laptop
or tool batteries should be recycled."
Contact your local public works station or even the Rechargeable Battery
Recycling Corporation. And never discard batteries in a fire.
The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of
Agriculture.
December 14, 2007
By Kat Robinson
For the Cooperative Extension Service
Media Contact: Lamar James
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2187 or (501) 753-0207
ljames@uaex.edu
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