A battery drawer for a cordless telephone or other apparatus that operates from both regular AC power and battery power and that has a stand-by battery recharging system and associated battery charging circuit. The battery drawer is slidably mounted in a body and is configured to receive and hold at least one rechargeable battery. A combination ejector and electrical circuit maker is associated with the battery drawer. The combination ejector and electrical circuit maker establishes an electric circuit between the battery charging circuit and the at least one rechargeable battery when the battery drawer is in a closed state, operates to eject the battery drawer from the body, and electrically opens the electric circuit between the battery charging circuit and the at least one rechargeable battery when the battery drawer is in an open state. Increased safety is afforded to users by disconnecting the battery drawer from the charging circuit when the battery is replaced in the drawer.