Like Russ, I've lost gear to alkaline battery corrosion. All my AAA, AA, and C batteries are NiMH. I abhor alkalines.

I also employ lithium-ion batts, although they do have their problems. Lithium-ion ignition is a leading suspect as the cause of the Conception dive boat disaster.

As far as i know, NiMH batteries, charged and used in anything like a safe manner, are quite reliable..

Short circuit any battery and you may well have problems....