Not to be pedantic, because I understand how it facilitates the story, but I'm just wondering, in real life, do many homeowners keep spare AA and AAA batteries for such things as TV remotes in their garage? We've always kept ours in the house, easily accessible. I have mine in a drawer just off the TV room.
Just wondering.
..*.. TxMike ..*..
Make a choice, to take a chance, to make a difference.
I've always kept mine in the fridge (specifically the butter tray area). Some say that's weird
shareI've heard of that. In fact the photographer where I used to work kept his photographic batteries in the refrigerator because they were supposed to last longer that way.
But storage in a garage in Maine would mean they would stay very cool in the winter and very warm in the summer, and maybe damp too. But my main point is storing there would not be very convenient because AA and AAA batteries tend to go bad frequently and without warning. Unless you needed to go there to find some damaging evidence against your spouse!
..*.. TxMike ..*..
Make a choice, to take a chance, to make a difference.
Yes, ideally cooler temps slows down the chemical reaction inside the batteries. And in the Texas (for me) heat, which is like 10 months out of the year, it's preferred to just stay in the fridge.
But back to your point, you're assuming they'd go through them that fast or that he didn't have items in the garage that needed batteries more than inside. In my house, remotes for TVs & games eat batteries. But I could see him keeping the batteries in his garage/man cave where he might have his own toys
I too am well familiar with S Texas heat, I am an outdoor guy, and a golfer, but I mostly stay inside June, July, and August!
..*.. TxMike ..*..
Make a choice, to take a chance, to make a difference.
To answer the OP. No, the only person who would put their only supply of batteries in the garage especially if they might have a foot of snow between the house and garage is Santa Claus.
That scene reminded me of a scene from Presumed Innocent with Harrison Ford when he was working outside and had to go into the basement to find something but instead he found evidence that his wife was the killer of a woman he was accused of killing. His wife figured out he knew so he just came out and told her he knew but because of the kids (btw the same reason she killed the woman, she was fooling around with her hubby) he did not say anything to the cops plus he was already got off in the trial for the killing the woman.
They even brought up the kids here, who are not kids but grown adults.
TO answer the OP and the person above, YES.
Many people do this, including my parents and most people I knew growing up. THe garage always had an icebox or fridge, and that's where the batteries were usually kept. Especially when stores like Price Club and Costco started and you could buy them in bulk.
And there's a reason for keeping them cold: http://www.wisegeek.org/do-batteries-really-last-longer-if-they-are-stored-in-the-refrigerator.htm
Yes it is better to keep your batteries in the refrigerator. But very few people do. i am not sure why we don't. I think it has be a matter of habit. I have a big freezer and another fridge in my utility room, the garage is a long walk down a breezeway .
share"...very warm in the summer..."
You have clearly never been to Maine.
In the original short story, she checks where they usually keep them in the house and finds no AA's, so then she remembers Bob always keeps some batteries in the garage. Just one of those things that gets abbreviated for film.
shareThat would make more sense.
..*.. TxMike ..*..
Make a choice, to take a chance, to make a difference.
I didn't read the book yet it's one of a million on my to read list but I'm glad you answered that. I thought it was weird too. Our batteries are all in the junk drawer.
PS as for keeping them in fridge I read the (geekiest) article on this because my son at 20 thinks he knows everything and wanted to start keeping ours in the fridge.
My dad's an electrician and always told me not to do that. Short story long...cool article below.
http://www.howtogeek.com/179486/ask-htg-should-i-store-my-batteries-in-the-fridge/
in the fridge.
...cool article
Yeah, I have AAA and AA rechargeables. I bought them when I got a Wii as those vibrating remotes eat batteries like nothing else, and the special wii remote rechargeable batteries are a waste of money.
It wasn't too expensive as I bought them at Costco. I probably charge a set once a week as I use them for other things like faux candles.
I also have regular batteries from Costco, but only for items that are used less often, where I remove the batteries in the long term and store them beside the flashlight or whatever.
Been using rechargeables for forever.....only way to go!
shareNot just a garage, but a DETACHED garage where you actually have to leave the house and walk across the lawn and driveway. Unrealistic and no way they wouldn't have a junk drawer for batteries.
shareI am in NY and just "yelled" at my fiance for this. I had to go out to the detatched barn/original garage to get batteries?? They are now in the house.
sharedepends on your storage. some garages are for cars and industrial stuff only, some have workbenches and tools and stuff.
shareWhen I was little my mom put my hearing aid batteries in the fridge
http://www.tengaged.com/?refer=capguy1
I am in NY and just "yelled" at my fiance for this. I had to go out to the barn to get batteries?? They are now in the house.
shareGrowing up in the 1960s pretty much everything that was not a kitchen utensil or an item needed in the bathroom was kept in our garage, including batteries. I remember exactly where they were. Now, if it were a detached garage I imagine a bit we kept in the garage would have instead been in our laundry room.
share