Organizing Batteries: Never be caught without power again!

One of the most surprising things about becoming a mother was the huge number of batteries my baby went through! Organizing batteries became essential for the first time in my life after I adopted a blind baby.

So many of her toys lit up, made music, spun around or performed in some way that stimulated her to look, listen, reach, move or otherwise get her interacting with her world. And they all required batteries.

Then we adopted a seven year old, and I was introduced to the world of electronic handheld games. She needed a walkman, a flashlight for Brownie camp, and even her dollhouse and accessories were battery-operated! I never had as many batteries to organize and keep track of in my life!

Now I am down to just one teenager at home, but it still seems like we go through batteries like crazy. Telephones, cameras, remotes and more all vie for their share of power. If I am not careful I can quickly and easily end up with a loose battery, or even little piles of batteries in the corners of drawers or in my purse, and uncertainty whether or not they are dead or alive.

Let's look at some options for getting my batteries organized!

Photo property of author.

Here are some great ideas from YouTube for getting your batteries organized! I love Karissa from the Green Apple Home. She has some great ideas for getting a home organized with small children.

Here is the terrific battery organizer that Karissa loves! This is great because you can easily see exactly what you have and what you are running short on. This is very handy for storing your batteries in a pantry or utility room. I have a spot in my hall closet where this would fit perfectly!

Here are some tips I found about getting all of these little energy powerhouses rounded up.

1. Store batteries at room temperature. Do not store them in the car, RV, refrigerator, attic or garage. Exposure to cold or extreme heat can shorten the life of your batteries.
2. Keep batteries in a safe place in your home. Carrying them loose in your purse or pocket can result in them shorting out if they come into contact with other metal objects, such as keys or coins.
3. Keep a battery tester on hand to check the energy level. Too often good they end up getting tossed because we are not sure whether or not they are dead.
4. Remove batteries from any unused device. Do not store items for more than a few months without removing them.

Lorie, from The Clutter Diet, has more great ideas for getting your batteries organized! She tried a battery rack and did not like it, so she came up with another solution. Watch her video and get some more great ideas!

Here is the original battery rack that Lorie tried in her utility room. She found it did not work well for her, but a lot of people do like it. You might find it is perfect for your home or office!

This is the perfect battery organizer for anyone who wants to be able to take their batteries with them. Great for travel or camping!

We used to have a box very similar to this one. It was very convenient. We kept it on a shelf in our pantry, which was very easy to access. When we went camping the box fit easily into a storage compartment in our camper.

Would you prefer to store your batteries separately according to size? This convenient set gives you a separate case for each size. You can also buy each case size individually, if you need extras for one size.

A battery tester can save you money by preventing the disposal of batteries which still have life left in them. Keeping a tester in your battery storage area makes good sense! Test your batteries before throwing them away!

How many times have you needed to take out a tiny screw to access the battery compartment? Storing a handy screwdriver will save time and headaches! Add one to your battery storage area today!

Helpful Hint: These pocket screwdrivers are convenient to stash around the house and to carry with you for unexpected emergencies!