Baby Bloom

Keeping children safe from button batteries



Button batteries

Button batteries and lithium coin batteries are the small, round batteries you find in lots of toys and everyday objects. They can be extremely dangerous for children if swallowed – especially lithium coin batteries –and can kill within hours.

Why are button batteries dangerous?

Most button batteries pass through the body without a problem. But if a button battery, particularly a lithium coin battery, gets stuck in the throat or gullet, energy from the battery can make the body create caustic soda (the chemical used to unblock drains!).

This can burn a hole through the throat and lead to serious internal bleeding and death.

Caustic soda is highlight corrosive

Lithium coin batteries are the most dangerous as the higher voltage means more energy is released, creating more caustic soda. The reaction can happen is as little as two hours.

One mum said: "It turns out this is one of the most damaging and dangerous things that my beautiful boy could have ever ingested. They cause deep and extremely fast corrosion burns into soft human tissue. It does not get much worse than this.”

All button batteries are very dangerous if they get stuck in a child’s nose or ear.

Where can you find button batteries?

Button batteries are used in a wide range of toys, gadgets and other everyday objects you’ll find around the house. Lots of these objects have buttons and surfaces that young children love to explore and play with. These include:
•small remote controls
•car key fobs
•calculators
•thermometers
•hearing aids
•digital scales
•musical cards
•novelty toys
•watches
•flameless candles and nightlights.

Who is at risk?


Post by BBC Newcastle - Radio for the North East.

It’s not just babies and toddlers, who put everything in their mouths, who are at risk from button batteries. Older children can be fascinated by them too.

In some cases, they may deliberately put a button battery in their mouth or on their tongue to experience the sensation of the electrical charge.

Children’s toys

Batteries in children’s toys are covered by safety regulations and should be enclosed by a screw and secure. Toys from markets or temporary shops may not follow safety regulations. Remember that older children may be able to open secure battery compartments.
•How safe are your child's toys? leaflet

How can I keep children safe?
•Keep products with batteries well out of reach if the battery compartment isn’t secured with a screw.
•Keep all spare batteries out of children’s reach and sight, ideally in a high-up, lockable cupboard.
•Avoid toys from markets or temporary shops as they may not conform to safety regulations.
•Teach older children that button batteries are dangerous and not to play with them or give them to younger brothers and sisters.
•Remember that even used batteries can be dangerous, so recycle them safely.

If an accident happens

Unfortunately it may not be obvious that a battery is stuck in a child’s throat. They may be breathing normally, or simply develop cold or flu-like symptoms.

If you suspect your child has swallowed a button battery, act fast.
•Take them straight to the A&E department at your local hospital or dial 999 for an ambulance.
•Tell the doctor there that you think your child has swallowed a button battery.
•Do not let your child eat or drink
•Do not make them sick.
•Do not wait to see if any symptoms develop.

Please help us spread the word

Help us tell parents about the dangers of button batteries by sharing this information, putting up a poster or handing out flyers.

Our button battery safety pack contains a poster and 100 copies of the flyer.

More information

The website of the European Portable Battery Association has advice on the risks for parents and medical professionals - http://buttonbatterysafety.com/.

Join our mailing list to keep up-to-date with child accident prevention, including the latest news on button batteries. Recent articles include:
•Focus on… Button Batteries (January 2016)
•Be button battery safe this Christmas (November 2015)
•Button batteries, toys and novelty goods – it must be Christmas (October 2015)
•Promoting button cell safety (June 2015)
•“The new child killer in every home”: act now to prevent button battery deaths (March 2015)
•Desperate case of boy, 8 months, highlights urgent need to alert parents to risk of button batteries (February 2015)
•Safety warning issued for button batteries (January 2015)
•Focus on… Swallowing harmful things (January 2015)
•Button batteries – warning after two children die (October 2014)

Button Battery Safety - Information to handle button/coin cells safely Information to handle button/coin cells safely

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parents, Grandparents and any other family member looking after babies.

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Partners always welcome and options are available to make up any session you are unable to attend at no extra charge.

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Baby and Toddler First Aid course suitable for Parents to be, new
parents, Grandparents and any other family member looking after babies.

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•Basic life support- infant and child
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•Wounds/bleeding
•Head injury
•Burns
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One to One tuition also available for £55

Bespoke courses for groups of friends at home. The host receives a 50% discount. Price dependant on group size and location.

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