What should I be careful about when handling watch/clock batteries?

Misuse of batteries may damage the surrounding area due to leakage, or cause fire and/or injury due to bursting.

Be sure to observe the following when handling common watch batteries.

  • Replacement of watch batteries requires professional knowledge and skill. For battery replacement, contact a watch store near you.
  • Do not leave watches with dead batteries for a long time because it may cause a malfunction.
  • Monitor batteries are incorporated in watches since shipping from a factory, so the first battery life may be shorter than the period described in instruction manuals.

Be sure to observe the following when handling common clock batteries.

  • Make sure that the + (positive) and - (negative) symbols are correctly matched up, otherwise it may cause unusual reactions, resulting in leakage, heat, and bursting.
  • Do not use different types of batteries or new and old batteries together. (When replacing batteries, replace all of them with new ones.) The difference in characteristics may cause leakage, heat, and bursting.
  • Immediately dispose dead batteries or keep them out of reach of small children.
  • Remove batteries from clocks if they are not in use for a long time.
  • Do not use batteries other than those specified in instruction manuals that come with the purchased clocks because it may cause a malfunction. (Do not use nickel zinc batteries.)
  • When the battery life has expired, replace all the batteries with specified new ones even if the clock is still running.
  • When replacing the batteries, insert new ones in clocks after cleaning terminals (contacts) of batteries and clocks.
  • Do not charge non-rechargeable batteries because they may damage insulators and/or internal structures, resulting in leakage and breakage.
  • Keeping clocks in a place where the temperature drops below five degrees Celsius or rises above 35 degrees Celsius for a long time may shorten battery life and/or cause leakage, heat, and damage.
  • Batteries are incorporated in clocks since shipping from a factory, so the first battery life may be shorter than the period described in instruction manuals.

Cautions about worn-out batteries

  • Minute electric current still flows through the circuits even after watches/clocks are not working properly due to dead batteries. Battery liquid leaks easily under the overdischarge status, therefore replace the batteries immediately after watches/clocks stop. Remove batteries from clocks if they are not in use. Even if watches/clocks are still running, we recommend replacing all the batteries with new ones when the specified battery life has expired.

Be sure to observe the following when handling button-type clock batteries.

  • Care should be taken to prevent a baby or a child from accidentally swallowing batteries.
  • Use batteries specified in instruction manuals. Using similarly-shaped zinc-air batteries in clocks may cause bursting.

Accidents associated with misuse of batteries

Battery leakage may break down watches/clocks, make stain on a wall, or damage household effects. Bursting may cause physical injury, or even loss of sight when the leakage enters eyes.

If battery leakage attach to your skin or clothes, wash it away with water. Also, if it enters eyes, wash it out with clean water, immediately consult an ophthalmologist, and follow his or her instructions.

In both cases, read instruction manuals carefully for proper and safe use.

Typical cautions are introduced here, but they vary according to products. Read instruction manuals carefully for proper and safe use.
Refer to the Battery Association of Japan (BAJ) website for cautions on handling batteries.

 

(Reference) BAJ guidelines for proper handling of batteries

The safe and proper handling of primary batteries