Copyright dailyrecord
Brits are being urged to make sure they aren't throwing an important everyday item into their bins. This seemingly innocent act could cause harm to both your home and the environment. While many household items are now powered by electricity , a range of devices such as TV remotes, gaming controllers, smoke alarms, automatic air fresheners and more still need a battery to function. Even though many of us may not use quite as many traditional alkaline batteries as we used to, it can be frustrating when your battery-powered devices suddenly stop working and you haven't refilled your battery stock. While it is easy to head to the shop to buy more, it turns out it isn't as easy to dispose of dead batteries. While many of us may chuck stuff into the general waste or recycling bin without thinking, Brits are being warned to not throw used batteries into regular bins as they can become a huge risk to both you and the environment, reports the Express. In an Instagram video posted by Alexandra Fisher, who is an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) in a US fire department, she explained how batteries that have run out of juice can cause fires if placed in your regular rubbish bin. In the clip, while holding a battery in her hand, Alexandra said: "I'm not going to throw it in the trash. First of all, we don't throw batteries in the trash. Second, did you know that this battery, even a dead battery, can cause a fire in your house?" She went on to explain: "Yes, this little battery, even if it's dead, can cause a fire in your house through the positive and negative charges. If it hits another battery and they form a connection, it can start a fire. It doesn't take much to cause a little spark." While many households may already have a bag or jar that they store used batteries in until they are ready to take them to be recycled, Alexandra shared an easy way to make sure your home is kept safe during this time. She said that homeowners should cover both ends of each battery with a piece of tape, which will help prevent them connecting with other batteries and causing a fire. Fires aren't the only hazard that batteries can cause, as they can also have a negative impact on the environment if they end up in landfill. Batteries contain toxic chemicals that can leak into the environment if left to degrade instead of being recycled properly. While the rules may differ in the US, with every state except for California allowing you to throw alkaline batteries in the waste, the UK has a zero-tolerance rule for all batteries. According to the GOV.UK website, batteries should be taken to your local supermarket or other retailers that sell batteries as they should have a disposal centre available. Additionally, the website advises that lithium batteries specifically should be taped at the end in order to help prevent potential fires. Many people took to the comments section of Alexandra's Instagram video to thank her for the advice, with some people admitting they weren't aware of the hazard batteries could cause. One person wrote: "I’ve never heard this in my life. How are we still alive?" While another person added: "So are you telling me I shouldn’t keep all my batteries loose in a random drawer?" A third Instagram user also provided additional advice for those who keep their used batteries in a jar. They said: "Engineer here. Please keep the jar open to prevent it from exploding due to gas buildup."
