Exploding batteries is a bad thing, yes?

My sister was recharging some batteries (belonging to my other sister) and one has burst, and liquid has come out of it. We don't know how old they are, and they are labelled Alkaline, but we don't know what chemicals are in them, because she threw out the package.

I guess my questions are:
1) how careful do we need to be cleaning up?
2) is the battery recharger salvageable?
3) how should we dispose of the explody battery?

Any and all help would be appreciated.

Ouise, there is a Duracell Material Safety Data Sheet here: [link] It's a pdf file.

The main toxic ingredient is potassium hydroxide, which is in the same chemical class as lye (sodium hydroxide). It is a powerful base. Wear rubber gloves when you're cleaning it up. You should be able to clean it up by flushing with lukewarm water.

The charger may be salvageable if you clean it well. Make sure it's thoroughly dry before you plug it back in.

In my town, the transfer station has a bin for batteries, although it's never occurred to me to ask what the policy is on leaking batteries.

One other thing. You shouldn't even try to recharge alkaline batteries. Chargers are only for batteries that are specifically labeled as rechargeable, usually Nickel-Cadmium or Lithium batteries. As you've dicovered, alkalines don't always react well to charging.

eta: There are some alkaline batteries that are specifically designed to be recharged, and they are labeled as such. Ordinary alkalines can be recharged, but they also run the risk of exploding while doing it. [link]

dcp, re: tv turning off...

I just turned the tv on this morning and boom! it went off after 3-5 minutes. I can't imagine that another remote is turning it off...though I did wonder if it is possible that my laptop is turning it off. Is this possible or am I just crazy weird for thinking this?

Thanks so much, DX! They are labelled rechargeable, but it sounds like maybe they shouldn't have been. Off to get some rubber gloves ...

le nubian, do you have the exact model number handy? There are a couple of places one can search for troubleshooting info on the 'net.

In five-and-change years of recharging rechargeable batteries, I've never had any explode. EEEEek!

Theo, are they Alkalines or Ni-Cads? It's way more likely with the alkalines.

Daniel,

I don't think I have the model number. I went to Best Buy and got a BB credit card, a tv stand, and a new tv.

Thanks so much, DX! They are labelled rechargeable, but it sounds like maybe they shouldn't have been.

The rechargeable alkaline (NiMH?) ones have to be recharged in chargers just for them, and not in rechargers meant for NiCads.

So I have an old 486 computer with windows 95 on it that I want to dispose of. Before I do, I want to wipe the harddrive,, including all the software. (It was a handmedown from my friend's work so I'm sure her org. wouldn't appreciate me giving away this computer with all this software registered to them.) Isn't there a simple command I can put in at the C:/ that will overwrite the harddrive?