According to a recent survey conducted by Opinion Research for Energizer® batteries, when fresh batteries are needed in a pinch, 64 percent of Americans say their first or second choice is to search their junk drawer. You know, the place where you put stuff that doesn't belong anywhere else in your home. Ninety percent of Americans surveyed admitted to having one.

Batteries lead the pack among the most common items Americans keep in their junk drawer. Responding to a list of suggested items, 79 percent of adults surveyed said they have batteries in their junk drawer, followed by keys of unknown origin (68 percent), matches (59 percent) and home improvement products (58 percent).

While batteries are a staple in the home, the challenge is determining if they are working. The Energizer survey showed that more than one-third (38 percent) of people having loose batteries in their homes have no idea which ones are working and which ones are not.

To combat this problem, Energizer is the first to introduce the latest evolution in battery technology, the on-battery tester. Available nationwide on AA, C and D cell sizes, the on-battery tester allows people to test the power of their Energizer battery anytime, anywhere by pressing two green dots. At full power, the word "Good" appears in the tester window; when the tester stays completely black, less than 25 percent of the power remains.

"The on-battery tester is probably the most exciting announcement to come out of the battery industry in 25 years. Unlike other new technology announcements, this one is easy. It's not cumbersome. It's user friendly," says Jill Bilzi, bureau chief, Twice Magazine (This Week in Consumer Electronics).

For best results batteries should be tested at room temperature. And as always, all batteries in a device should be replaced at the same time; new and used batteries should not be mixed.(NAPSI)