Keep button batteries away from your child

Keep Button Batteries Away from Your Child

If your child swallows a button battery, it can get stuck in their food pipe. It can burn through to the main artery and badly harm or even kill them. This can happen very quickly. Children aged 6 months to 4 ½ years are most at risk.

Which Batteries Are Most Dangerous?

Lithium coin cell batteries are slightly bigger than a 5 pence piece. They are big enough to get stuck and are strong enough to kill. Smaller button batteries can still cause harm, especially if they are new.

Where Are They?

Your child can find button batteries in things like:

• Toys where the battery compartment isn’t secured
• String lights and nightlights
• Small remote controls
• Car key fobs or key finders
• Musical cards and books
• Light-up toys and novelty items
• Digital scales and thermometers

Children may also find spare batteries that are stored within reach or have fallen from the pack. Even used ‘flat’ batteries still hold enough charge to be dangerous.

More information: @ChildAccidentPreventionTrust | @capt_charity

Check Your Home

• Hunt around your home for button batteries.
• Keep products well out of your child’s reach if the battery compartment isn’t secured.
• Store spare and ‘flat’ batteries well out of reach too.
• Beware of bargains from online marketplaces or local discount shops. They may have button batteries your child can get to easily.

Has Your Child Swallowed One?

• Don’t delay. Take them straight to A&E or call 999 for an ambulance.
• Tell the doctor you think your child has swallowed a button battery.
• If you have the battery packaging or the product the battery came out of, take it with you.
• Don’t let them eat or drink and don’t make them sick.

There may be few symptoms. So trust your instincts.