State Fire Marshal Warns of 9 Volt Battery Danger

A July fire in Amherst may have been sparked by a 9 volt battery in a junk drawer, and fire safety officials want to remind residents how to properly store them.

The Amherst couple had just cleaned and organized a junk drawer in her kitchen and the 9 volt battery was put in the same baggie as other batteries, the state fire marshal's office said in a press release.

The 9 volt battery may have rubbed against another battery and ignited the fire, although the Amherst Fire Department was not called on to respond and investigate the incident. The fire produced smoke throughout the first floor of the home.

In the homeowner’s words, “We were fortunate not have been away for the weekend!”

According to Fire Marshal William Degnan's press release, a 9 volt battery is a fire hazard because the positive and negative posts situated next to one another. If the ends come in contact with anything metal i.e. aluminum foil, steel wool, paper clip, other batteries, etc. this will create the object to heat up and ignite a fire.

To store safely, keep batteries in their original packaging or keep ends covered. For disposal, make sure that the positive and negative posts are safely wrapped in electrical tape. 

Also, remember to check your smoke alarms each month to ensure your family has the early warning to get out safely if a fire should occur in your home.