Have you ever seen a baby or toddler chewing on a remote control or car keys with a fob? Giving these items to a little one may seem like a harmless way to keep them busy. But in fact, it is one of the most dangerous things an adult can do.
That’s because many of these devices are powered by tiny button batteries, and if they fall out or are removed, children are often attracted to them, swallowing them or placing them inside their nose or ears. Tragically, between 1995 and 2010, 14 children between the ages of seven months and three years old died from ingesting batteries, and 12 of them were button batteries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A Silent Danger
Since button batteries are so small, they usually do not cause choking when swallowed, but instead can lodge in a child’s throat. If this happens, the child’s saliva will set off a chemical reaction with the battery, and it begins to burn a hole within a few hours. (Similar problems can occur if a battery gets stuck in a nose, ear or another part of the body.) After burning, an infection often sets in, which can and often does lead to serious injury, illness, permanent disability or death.
Another reason why button batteries pose a “silent” danger: Because children usually do not choke on button batteries, they often aren’t missed until you try to use the device the battery came from. In other words, adults often are not even be aware of what is happening.
What You Can Do
Button batteries are in dozens of electronic devices that many of us have and leave within reach of children. To make your home as safe as possible, start by looking for items that may contain these coin-sized batteries, such as:
- Bathroom Scale
- Calculators
- Cameras
- Electronic Games
- Flameless Candles
- Hearing Aids
- Holiday Ornaments
- Key Fobs
- Remote Controls
- Singing Greeting Cards/Talking Books
- Shoes/Clothes that Flash
- Thermometers
- Watches
After locating these items, the next step is to get rid of as many of them as possible. If the item is something you absolutely need, find a permanent place you can keep it that is out of sight and out of reach of children.
More Button Battery “Best Practices”
Here are other tips to keep your children and family—and anyone who visits your home—as safe as possible:
- If you need to buy button batteries, always choose ones that come in child-resistant safety packaging.
- Store unused or loose batteries in a locked cabinet, along with other hazardous items.
- Be especially aware of gadgets belonging to older children, like hand-held video games, that might contain button batteries and be very appealing to babies and young children.
- For extra safety, tape battery compartments shut using duct tape since button batteries can easily fall out of devices.
Spread the Word—and Act Fast on Your Suspicions
More and more people are hearing of button battery risks—but many others may not know how dangerous they can be. This means a grandparent, babysitter or friend could give your child an electronic device to play with that includes a button battery, not knowing the risk.
Therefore, make sure to share this information with everyone you know—family, friends, caregivers, babysitters, grandparents or others. In doing so, you are helping make a difference not only for your child, but for any innocent child who may be at risk of ingesting a button battery.
In an Emergency
If you ever suspect a child has ingested a button battery, go immediately to the emergency room at <Add hospital-specific information here.>
Sources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- National Battery Ingestion Hotline (800) 498-8666 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)