Just thought I'd share a nearly painful story, and raise some battery awareness. We all use them, and it's one of my duties at work to make sure people know what to do, so I though I'd share. :)
Today, I needed to take a macro shot of some car parts to help do some explaining for someone on another forum. Natually, out comes the Pentax system with the Sigma 18-50 2.8 macro mounted.
I couldn't get a decent shot of the part (a close shot of a turbocharger), because the Sigma lens is just long enough to cause vignetting with the inbuilt flash. So I take out yon Promaster flash (I know, I'm cheap :D ), slap some made in China NiCads in it, and proceed to take the shot. But something's wrong- flash isn't firing. :hmm:
My first reaction was I got ripped off by Promaster, because I didn't get 10 shots out of their penny pincher flash! But I could still hear it 'juicing up' (you know, the whine they make?)-the ready light just wasn't coming on. I say OK to myself, and assume that the batteries probably just need to be charged.
I pop the battery cover off the flash, and dump the batteries into my hand- BIG MISTAKE! Turns out some of the plastic 'wrapper' that forms the outside case of the batteries (an insulator) had rubbed off, and was allowing a couple batteries to touch each other, resulting in a short.
The batteries had gotten so hot, that by the time I took them out (maybe 2 minutes tops), not only did I get a minor burn from the batteries themselves, but molten solder from the circuit board inside the flash (which was melted by the heat from the batteries!), and the battery springs came out onto my bare hand as well!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:
Needless to say, I cursed and threw the offending batteries to the other side of the room in shock. Once I got my bearings about me, I remembered that a hot battery is a potentially explosive battery as well. I didn't have much time to react, so I grabbed a nearby shop rag, threw the batteries into a box, and heaved the box out the front door. I figured it would be best if they exploded outside the apartment, away from human flesh.
After about 30 minutes, I peered outside. Nothing untoward happening, so I found the box, and tested the batteries for temperature. They were cool, and I was quite relieved-crisis averted for now. I still need to dispose of the batteries, so that means a trip to hazmat next working day.
That's the story, now here's the awareness.
Would you know what to do in the event of an overheating battery, or if you got acid on your skin or (God forbid!) in your eyes?
At work, we have contingencies for such occasions. Not all of them are applicable to the home environment, so I'll pass on what I can.
First off, you have to know what kind of battery you're dealing with. At the time of the incident, I had a mix of NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) and NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries in my bag- shame on me. I should know better. The emergency proceedures for different battery types are -duh- different! That means if someone tried to neutralize a chemical burn on my skin and used the agent for a NiCad when I was using NiMH batteries, it may have made the situation worse!
Point #1: Make sure all of the batteries in your bag are of the same type. You're not supposed to mix them in the same device anyway, and keeping only one type of battery will not only prevent you from harming yourself, but keep others from inadvertantly harming you by trying to help you out in the event of spilled acid.
Second, you have to have the right neutralizing agents available, in case you get some acid on you. Fortunately, they are household items, and you can buy them at any store if you don't already have them. Also, a way to deal with hot batteries is a good idea.
For NiCad batteries, you will neutralize acid spills with a 50/50 mixture (by volume) of vinegar and deionized water. The proceedures for most other batteries is flush with lots of water, and call a doctor.
Remember that if the acid is on your skin, you need to flush the area with water for at least 15 minutes after neutralizing, and then seek medical help. If it's in your eyes, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE THE NEUTRALIZING SOLUTION! Flush the area with water, and immediately call 911! Swallowed some? :fedup: OK, you're most likely a friggin retard, but immediately call 911 and your local poison control center! Do not assume that because the burn is subsiding, you're going to be OK-let the doctor make that decision.
Point #2: If your dealing with batteries, you're also dealing with their potential hazards. No one thinks it will happen to them, but it happened to me and I'm telling you- it's the worst feeling to know that a battery could explode and spew acid all over your apartment at any given second! BE PREPARED. Most people will have vinegar in their home, but you can go one step farther- have a spill kit. It doesn't need to be anything fancy or over the top- just a clearly marked jug with premixed neutralizing agent in it, preferably in an easily accessable place. If the batteries are hot and you think they might blow up, stick them in a bucket of cold water away from anyone (or thing) that might be harmed in the event they do blow. If you can't do that, throw a wet towel on top of them. That will help make sure that if they blow, the acid stays in a relatively controlled and small spot.
Thirdly, make sure those in your family know the proceedures for impending battery doom. It's one thing for me to know what to do, but what if this had happened to my son/daughter? Would they know what to do? Knowledge is power, and it could save your skin, vision, or possibly your life.
Point #3: If its important to you, post the MSDS for batteries in use in your home, along with the emergency response proceedures and telephone numbers to call. That makes sure even a small child can help you, if for some reason you become incapacitated.
Here's the MSDS's (Material Safety Data Sheets) for some common types of batteries, if someone wishes to learn some more about them/post them up in their home.
NiCad
NiMH
Lithium Ion
Alkaline
Thank you, and have fun safely taking pictures!:D
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