Emergency Considerations 

Ingestion -- Keep batteries away from small children. If swallowed, consult a physician at once. Contents of an open battery can cause serious chemical burns of mouth, esophagus, and gastrointestinal tract. If battery or open battery is ingested, do not induce vomiting or give food or drink. Seek medical attention immediately.  Call, day or night,  NATIONAL BATTERY INGESTION HOTLINE  for advice and follow-up at  202-625-3333 collect . 

Skin Contact -- Contents of an battery can cause skin irritation and/or chemical burns. Remove contaminated clothing and wash skin with soap and water. Seek medical attention.

Eye Contact -- Contents of an battery can cause severe irritation and chemical burns. Immediately flush eyes thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes, lifting upper and lower lids, until no evidence of the chemical remains. Seek medical attention.

Use  and Safety Considerations

Use a particular type of battery (e.g. Alkaline, Supr Heavy Duty) as  recommended.  Carefully follow all instructions and warnings on the battery label and package.

Batteries can be stored at room temperatures. Although storage at lower temperatures reduces the amount of ampere-hours capacity lost on the shelf, the percentage saved makes it uneconomical. 

Batteries to be stored at temperatures between 50°F (10°C) and 77°F (25°C), with relative humidity not exceeding 65 percent. Refrigeration of alkaline batteries is not necessary because of their very good capacity retention. Excessive temperature cycling and storage at temperatures greater than 77°F (25°C) should be avoided to maximize shelf life.

Batteries should be removed from a device when it is not expected to be in use for several months.

Mixing battery systems, such as alkaline with zinc-carbon, may result in voltage reversal and should be avoided.

Replace the batteries in your equipment with the size and type of battery specified by the equipment manufacturer.

Batteries to be placed  away from any heat source to prevent service degradation.   

Do not install backwards, charge, put in fire, or mix with other battery types. May explode or leak causing injury. Replace all batteries at the same time.

Charging of primary batteries ( e.g. alkaline )  may cause explosion or leakage.

If a battery is inserted backwards in parallel or series/parallel wiring or in some series connections, leakage and/or battery rupture may occur. Clean battery contacts are an important part of the device. 

Discharged batteries should be removed from equipment to prevent damage.

Remove batteries from equipment while it is being powered by household (AC) current.

Replace all batteries at the same time since batteries in series, in different states of discharge, may eventually drive the weakest battery into voltage reversal with progressive risk of leakage or rupture.

Charging of primary batteries may cause explosion or leakage.

Do not heat or open batteries. This will expose the user to chemical burns, or, in rare cases battery ruptures. 

In commercial settings, when 10 or more batteries need to be disposed of, the user may want to consider disposing of the batteries in a secure waste landfill.  

If fire or explosion occurs when batteries are on charge, shut off power to charger.

Cells and batteries should not be incinerated, unless suitable procedures are followed and appropriate precautions have been taken by qualified handlers. Exposure of these cells to high temperatures or fire can cause the cells to vent and/or rupture.

Nickel, nickel compounds, cadmium, cadmium compounds, cobalt, and cobalt compounds are listed as possible carcinogens by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) or National Toxicology Program (NTP).

Recycling of batteries  may be available. Contact your local recycling office or call toll free at 1-800-8-BATTERY for information about how and where you can recycle used nickel cadmium batteries.

Local regulations should always be consulted concerning disposal of battery materials since these regulations may supersede the recommendations discussed.