If you are talking about rechargables, leaving them out of the camera will only cause you to loose settings after the batts have been out of the camera for an hour or so. I believe that rechargables will dissipate the charge after a while anyway.
With button cell cameras, the manual says to remove the batteries when the camera is not being used for several weeks. Don't know if refrigeration will prolong life, but if you are not using the camera for extended periods of time and you are about to take important pictures, freah batts are the order of the day.
Storing film, pictures and negatives in wooden cabinets is not reccommended; there is a possibility of outgassing.

Ron,
At the risk of sounding like an idiot. What is out gassing?

out gassing is the process whereby naturally occurring chemicals are released from the wood.