ZONEofTECH/X Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways Rechargeable batteries are incredibly safe, but things can and do go wrong. Don't cut a stuck smart ring off your finger because it usually makes things worse. If your wearable is acting weird, stop wearing it. Rechargeable batteries are everywhere. In our homes and cars, charging next to our heads on nightstands, in our pockets, on our wrists, in our ears, and now wrapped around our fingers. And, for the most part, rechargeable batteries are safe. However, they're not infallible, and things can -- and, unfortunately, do -- go wrong. And when things go wrong, it's easy to panic and make a problem go from bad to worse. Also: Why your Oura Ring battery is dying quicker (and what Oura is doing about it) Take smart rings. They're bands of metal or plastic containing a tiny rechargeable battery. Most of these items go through their lives doing what they're supposed to do, until the battery is exhausted and it's time to recycle the item. However, a post on X by ZONEofTECH demonstrates that batteries can go bad -- and at the most inconvenient times: The issue appears to be a swollen battery in the Samsung smart ring: The owner was about to board a flight, but was blocked from boarding their flight home due to health reasons and a defective battery. The good news is the story ended well, with the ring being removed in the hospital, and Samsung covering the costs associated with the delay the owner experienced: The ring -- removed. ZONEofTECH/X Were there any warning signs? Yes. The owner of the ring said the "ring has been acting very weird for many months," and was only lasting a day or so at one point, then stopped working altogether until the ring was charged for two days. On top of those issues, at the time of the incident, the ring wasn't even charged. If wearables are showing any signs of acting weird, it's best not to wear them. Also: Oura Ring 3 vs Oura Ring 4: Opt for the older, discounted smart ring or the newest? As to what might have caused the problem, it could be anything from a degraded battery to water intrusion, heat, or a damaged ring. So, what should you do if you have this sort of problem? First, don't cut the ring off unless things are dire (I'll come to that). The chances of shorting the battery and causing a fire or explosion are real. I read a few comments to that post suggesting cutting it off with a rotary tool or medical shears (for example, the Leatherman Raptor has a built-in ring cutter that could do the job, but could make the problem much worse). Also: How to factory reset your Android phone without unlocking it first The quickest and safest way to remove a stuck smart ring is an old trick that's been used for many years and is once again being taught to members of the emergency services to deal with smart rings. All you need is a piece of strong string or ribbon: In my experience -- and, yes, I've used this trick a few times -- you can make the process a lot quicker and easier using lubrication. Soap, oil, butter, or even water will work. This strategy is for stuck rings. If the ring is crushed or damaged, I suggest letting the emergency services manage the issue in case the battery causes problems. If the ring is damaged, overheating, or showing other danger signs, such as producing smoke, then I'd remove it as quickly as possible, even if that involves cutting the device. The bottom line is be careful -- and if any of your wearables are acting strangely, it's time to stop wearing them.