If you like new gadgets, then I’m pretty sure you have a lot of old gadgets always lying around some dark corner in your house. As such, these gadgets may be a ticking time bomb, especially if you don’t remember to take out the battery. But calm down, your house won’t be going up in flames any time soon. Nonetheless, we can’t stress enough the importance of taking the batteries out of old phones, gaming consoles and other pieces of tech around your house.
Over time, old batteries tend to fail, and they start to corrode, leaking hazardous materials that may damage your tech. Newer low-quality devices have been known to explode as a result, though it’s not common with high-quality devices that can you can use to browse the list of online casinos in New Jersey or sending an urgent text.
Most consumer electronics are powered by Lithium-Ion batteries, including laptops, smartphones, and any other device that comes with a charging cable. These devices must be used and charged occasionally to enable them to maintain their ability to hold power or they eventually become dead. This degradation doesn’t end there. They eventually release flammable gas after failing, and that makes them crack or swell.
Once the battery starts swelling or cracking, charging it may be dangerous so it's worth changing the battery as the device might explode. Older devices often use small coin-shaped Li-Ion batteries and hence less likely to explode. However, the batteries corrode over time, and the chemicals leak into the inner components, and it damages the circuitry, destroying your device.
Unfortunately, there’s no thumb rule to know how long your device battery will take before failing and turning into a potential hazard. However, we recommend taking the battery off your device if you haven’t used it for a couple of months. Li-Ion batteries can last 2-3 years when they are well-maintained, but some may last even less.
If you like to store your old devices in the storage room, it’s wise to take out the batteries. It’s also a smart move to replace the old batteries when you acquire vintage tech. You can check out some tutorial videos on YouTube (News - Alert) if you need help changing the battery, though it's not a tough task in most cases. Regardless, don’t forget to wear eye protection and gloves when go poking inside your device as you may encounter a leaky battery.
If it’s hard to open it, especially if you’re dealing with a computer or other pieces of consumer tech which doesn’t have an easily accessible battery, consider taking it to the repair shop. The professional will have the skills needed to check under the hood and also fix any circuitry that may be damaged.
No matter you course of action, keep in mind that your old batteries and hence should be thrown in the trash. They have toxic materials and contribute to fire risks around your house. However, you can also take the battery to the authorized battery cycling center to safely get rid of it.
