Don’t Become a Victim of Assault by Battery

Nasutsa Mabwa

June 26, 2025

9-volt batteries stored incorrectly can cause fires. Discover safety tips to protect your home and what to do if fire damage occurs.

It’s easy to overlook the risks that ordinary household items pose. For example, improperly stored 9-volt batteries can ignite fires that lead to costly damage.

At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, we have seen the unexpected devastation caused by simple oversights like this across Chicago, the North Shore, and DuPage County.

Why 9-Volt Batteries Can Start Fires

Unlike AA, AAA, C, or D batteries, 9-volt batteries have their positive and negative terminals located next to each other. When these terminals come into contact with metal objects like paper clips, aluminum foil, or keys, they can generate enough heat to ignite nearby materials such as paper or steel wool.

Though fires from batteries are rare, they have been reported across the U.S., prompting fire safety advocates to raise awareness.

How to Store 9-Volt Batteries Safely

Follow these guidelines from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to prevent battery-related fires:

Do not store 9-volt batteries loosely with other metal objects or batteries.
Keep batteries in their original packaging until you are ready to use them.
If the packaging is gone, cover the battery terminals with non-conductive tape.
Never carry loose batteries in your pocket with keys or coins.
Store batteries upright in a safe location where they won’t be jostled.

How to Dispose of Household Batteries

Most single-use batteries manufactured today (other than in California) can go in household trash. However, lithium-ion, button cell, and rechargeable batteries contain hazardous metals and must be recycled properly.

Safe disposal tips:

Contact your local hazardous waste program for drop-off locations.
Use Earth911’s Recycling Search to find Chicagoland recycling centers.
Consider mail-in battery recycling programs.

Never place lithium-ion batteries in curbside recycling bins. Damaged batteries can cause fires at recycling centers or in trucks.

When Fire Damage Happens, Call the Experts

If your property suffers fire or smoke damage from any source, turn to ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons.

We provide:

We proudly serve Chicago, the North Shore, and DuPage County. Visit our home page for immediate assistance.

About ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is part of the nation’s oldest restoration brand, founded in Chicago in 1929. With over 40 years of local expertise, our IICRC-certified team serves homes and businesses across Chicago, the North Shore, and DuPage County.

Our services include:

Water Damage Restoration
Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration
Mold Remediation
Specialty Cleaning
Commercial Restoration

We serve communities including Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Logan Square, West Loop, Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, and Lake Forest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can loose 9-volt batteries really start fires?
Yes. If the terminals come into contact with metal objects, they can generate heat and ignite flammable materials.

How should I store 9-volt batteries?
Keep them in original packaging or cover terminals with tape. Store upright in a safe location.

Where can I recycle lithium-ion or rechargeable batteries in Chicago?
Contact local hazardous waste programs or search Earth911 for drop-off locations. Never place them in curbside bins.

What should I do if a battery in my home causes a fire?
Once safe, visit ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons for professional fire damage cleanup and restoration.

Nasutsa Mabwa is the CEO and co-owner of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a certified MBE/WBE firm proudly serving Cook, DuPage, and Lake Counties in Illinois. Under her leadership, the company has become one of Chicagoland’s most trusted providers of disaster restoration services, including water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke damage cleanup, and mold remediation for residential and commercial clients.

A recognized civic and business leader, Nasutsa is a recipient of the 2020 Daily Herald Business Ledger C-Suite Award, a Crain’s Chicago Business 40 Under 40 honoree, and a 2018 ServiceMaster® Achiever Award recipient. She currently serves as a Civic Federation Board Member, an Advisory Board Member, and is the Past President of the Executive Committee for the Evanston Chamber of Commerce. She is a proud member of the WPO - Women's President Organization.

Nasutsa holds IICRC certifications in Water Damage Restoration (WRT) and Fire & Smoke Restoration (FSRT), bringing both strategic leadership and technical expertise to every project.

She is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset from Water and Fire Disasters — a practical, accessible book for homeowners based on real-world experience in the restoration industry.

Subscribe now for expert tips, rapid-response insights, and restoration guidance delivered straight to your inbox. Whether you’re recovering from fire, water, or mold damage, stay prepared with advice from the trusted pros at ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons.