Frequently Asked Questions

In the unlikely event that a battery is wet or covered with a white powdery substance, limit your
handling of the battery. Only handle the battery as required for proper removal and disposal and
immediately wash any exposed body surfaces and clothing with soap and water. If contact with
the eyes occurs, immediately flush the eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes and then
seek immediate medical assistance.
My child likes to play with batteries. Is this ok?
Young children should not play with batteries. Batteries are made to power devices, not to be
played with individually. Remember that while batteries are popular, commonplace devices, they
generate portable power by means of potent chemical reactions. Batteries should never be
disassembled, abused, mishandled, or treated as toys. Although most batteries contain chemicals
that won’t harm exposed skin, they should still be treated as any chemical would. Always take
precautions when handling exposed battery chemicals. Battery chemicals shouldn’t be placed
near the eyes or ingested. Contact a physician immediately if this should occur. To assure safety,
use of batteries by children should be closely monitored by a responsible adult. The telephone
number for National Battery Ingestion Hotline is 800-498-8666. If you have questions please
call the number for help or more information.
Should I clean the battery compartment?
For best performance, keep battery contact surfaces and battery compartment contacts clean. Rub
them with a clean pencil eraser or a clean cloth each time you replace batteries.
Should I light a battery on fire?
NEVER light or dispose of batteries in a fire—they may explode, rupture, and cause safety risks.
Should I remove batteries from my device if I’m not going to be using it for a while?
Yes. Remove batteries from a device when it is not expected to be in use for several months.
Should I store my batteries in the refrigerator or freezer?
We recommend storing batteries at room temperature in a dry environment. Extreme heat or cold
reduces battery performance. You’ll want to avoid putting battery-powered devices in very warm
places. In addition, refrigeration is not necessary or recommended.
What is an alkaline battery?
Duracell pioneered the Alkaline Manganese Dioxide electrochemical system nearly 40 years ago.
In the 1960s, this battery system rapidly became the popular choice of designers in the ever-
widening field of consumer electronics. Alkaline or Alkaline Manganese Dioxide cells have
many advantages over zinc-carbon cells including up to ten times the ampere-hour capacity at
high and continuous drain conditions. Also, its performance at low temperatures is superior to
other conventional aqueous electrolyte primary cells. Other significant advantages are longer
shelf life, better leakage resistance, and superior low-temperature performance. Its more
effective, secure seal provides excellent resistance to leakage and corrosion. Today, Duracell
manufactures two alkaline batteries: Optimum and Coppertop.
What is an alkaline battery?