A battery cell includes an electrode assembly having a negative electrode, positive electrode, and separator bathed in an alkaline electrolyte, a pouch encapsulating the electrode assembly, and first and second tabs respectively extending from the positive and negative electrodes through the pouch. The first tab has thereon a coating including acrylic paint and the second tab has thereon a coating including lacquer to discourage creepage of the alkaline electrolyte along the first and second tabs and out of the pouch.