YOU HAVE TO WATCH THIS VIDEO!

A discarded 9 volt battery, from a smoke detector, was responsible for this house fire.

http://themotherlist.com/fire-safety-video-must-watch/

For proper battery disposal check out earth911.com/recycling to help you find the proper place to recycle your used batteries (& much more).

Where proper disposal of your used batteries can prove confusing, storing unused batteries is just as complicated.  I have seen batteries everywhere in peoples homes, every room, drawer, closet, and even in the refrigerator though the years.  Having batteries stroon throughout your house not only adds to your clutter but is a potential hazard if they leak, or god forbid, catch on fire.

I always tell my clients to “Keep Like Items Together”.   You should have one central place to store all your batteries.  This Battery Rack with Tester from The Container Store is a great product, as it holds multiple types of batteries, all in one place.  It can be stored in a drawer, on a shelf, or even mounted on the wall.  I like this because it keeps all your batteries together, holds multiple battery sizes, and has the battery tester attached.  Mount the rack in your garage or in a utility room for easy access.  Also, be sure it is out of the reach of small children.

If you do not have a battery rack always be sure to keep unused batteries in their original packaging.  This will help you know that they are still new.  Use a plastic tub for each battery size and place the whole package inside the tub.  Label the outside of the tub with a marker (AAA, AA, C, D, etc.) and store all the tubs together in one location.  Keeping them sorted will help you quickly find what you need.  The plastic tubs helps to keep thing safe should a battery leak.

Just for fun, if you do not have a battery tester and you are unsure if your batteries are dead, check out this video for a fast and easy way to test your batteries with no additional equipment.

Battery Testing – http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y_m6p99l6ME

Happy Organizing!  Bridges