Common household items may present dangers to home owners that they are unaware.

Items such 9-volt batteries if left improperly stored have resulted in serious fire incidents. In many households, it is common for homeowners to place batteries in a junk drawer that contain other items like keys, paper clips and loose change and other items. But then boom – disaster happens.

Homeowners store these items innocently and often times don’t know of the serious consequences. It only takes one metallic object to touch the battery’s post to start a fire. It may come as a shock to some that a fire incident can stem from batteries, but they have cropped up with homeowners barely escaping with their lives.

Share these tips via the National Fire Protection Association:
* Keep 9-volt batteries in original packaging until you are ready to use them. If loose, keep the posts covered with masked, duct or electrical tape

* Do not store 9-volt batteries in a drawer close to paper clips, coins, pens, batteries, steel wool, aluminum foil and keys

* Store batteries standing up

* 9-volt batteries should not be thrown away with trash

* Some states do not allow any type of battery to be disposed of with trash. Check with your city or town for the best way to get rid of batteries