How to store batteries so your torches work when you need them
Last reviewed 24 October 2026 · 6 min read
Quick checklist
Quick checklist
0 of 8 doneWhy battery storage matters in a power cut
A torch is the first thing most of us reach for when the lights go out. If the batteries have gone flat, or have leaked inside the torch, you have no light. Be Ready, the government campaign, lists a torch and spare batteries in its checklist, and suggests checking supplies and dates every six months.
A two-minute routine now saves a scramble in the dark. Our guide to the best lights for a power cut shows which lights suit which rooms.
How to store batteries: five simple rules
These come from general maker advice. We list them as our reasonable practice, so check the pack for your own batteries.
- Cool and dry. A cupboard indoors beats a garage, loft, shed or car, where heat and damp change from day to day. Do not leave batteries on a radiator or in sunlight.
- Keep them apart from metal. Loose batteries in a drawer can touch keys, coins or other cells. Keep them in the original pack or a plastic case so the ends cannot touch.
- Do not mix. Never put old and new cells together in one device, and never mix types, such as alkaline with rechargeable, or different brands.
- Take them out for long storage. If a device will sit unused for months, remove the batteries. Leaking cells can damage a torch.
- Never heat or charge a non-rechargeable battery. Only charge cells marked as rechargeable, in a charger made for them.
Stop using any battery that is swollen, leaking, hot or damaged. Wash your hands if you touch a leak, and keep it away from your eyes and mouth. Speak to your pharmacist or call NHS 111 if you are worried.
Which batteries to keep
Match the batteries to your torches. Count what you have in your house before you buy anything.
- AA and AAA cover most torches, radios and remotes. A simple AA or AAA LED torch (Retailer link coming soon) is cheap and easy to test.
- Rechargeable cells. Rechargeable AA batteries (Retailer link coming soon) and rechargeable AAA batteries (Retailer link coming soon) save money over time. Charge them before a storm, because a power cut stops your charger.
- Spare non-rechargeable cells. Rechargeables lose charge slowly while they sit, so many households also keep a spare pack of ordinary cells in the torch drawer. That is our reasonable practice, not an official rule.
Whatever you choose, buy the size your torch takes, and keep spares in a labelled box.
How to check batteries
Do this twice a year, when you check the clocks or when you check your food dates.
- Test the torch. Switch it on. A dim or flickering light means the cells are weak.
- Open the torch. Look for white or green crust, which suggests leaking. Clean only if the maker says it is safe, and recycle the cells.
- Test the spares. A small battery organiser and tester (Retailer link coming soon) keeps cells in order and tells you which are still strong.
- Swap and note the date. Put fresh cells in, write the date on a label, and keep the old but working ones for a low-use item like a remote.
Add the check to your monthly emergency kit check if you already do one. Our power cut checklist shows where else a torch belongs.
Rechargeables and a charger
A mains charger such as a AA and AAA battery charger (Retailer link coming soon) only helps if you charge the cells before the power goes. Keep a few charged sets ready, and top them up after a storm warning. Use the charger the maker supplies and follow its instructions. Do not leave charging cells unattended overnight, and do not charge cells under a pillow or on a sofa.
Used batteries: recycle, never bin
Do not put used batteries in your household bin or recycling bin. They can start fires in bin lorries and recycling plants. Most supermarkets and shops that sell batteries have a collection point, and many councils list battery recycling on their website.
- Keep a jar or pot for used batteries.
- Put a piece of tape over the ends of 9V and lithium batteries, and any larger ones.
- Take them to a battery recycling point on your next shop.
The Recycle Now website helps you find your nearest point.
Do this today (free)
- Test every torch you own.
- Open the torch and look for leaks.
- Move batteries out of any hot or damp place.
- Put a jar by the back door for used batteries.
If you have £10, £25 or £50
These are budgets, not quotes. Prices change, so check the current price first.
- About £10: a simple AA or AAA torch and a pack of spare batteries.
- About £25: add a battery case with a tester, and a second torch.
- About £50: add a charger and rechargeable cells for the torches you use most.
Questions people ask
Is it OK to keep batteries in a drawer?
Only if they are in their pack or a plastic case. Loose batteries can touch keys, coins and each other, which is a risk. Keep them cool and dry, and store old and new separately. This is general maker advice and our reasonable practice.
How often should I check my torch batteries?
Twice a year is a good rule, matching Be Ready's advice to check supplies and dates every six months. Test the torch, look for leaks and swap tired cells. Do an extra check before winter or after a storm warning.
Should I take batteries out of a torch I rarely use?
For long storage, many makers suggest taking the batteries out, so a leak cannot damage the torch. Keep the cells beside it in a case. If the torch lives by your fuse board or bedside for emergencies, test it often and leave the cells in.
Where do I recycle used batteries?
Take them to a battery recycling point, often found in supermarkets and shops that sell batteries, or check your council website. Do not put them in the bin or recycling bin. Tape over the ends of 9V and lithium batteries first.
Sources and further reading
Sources
firesidefolk.com/power-cuts/how-to-store-batteries · Last reviewed 24 October 2026 · Fireside Folk