They are small, circular, flat and very dangerous.
Button batteries can literally be a parent’s worst nightmare. They are tiny, sometimes seemingly everywhere, and when swallowed they can burn through a child’s esophagus in just 2 hours. In fact, sometimes kids die from ingesting them. If one is swallowed, surgery is often needed and the child may spend months eating through feeding tubes and breathing with the assistance of machines.
Where might you find them? According to the National Capital Poison Center, button batteries are present in everything from remote controls and keyless entry fobs to talking books, flashing shoes and singing greeting cards. And, of course, new holiday toys. (For a full list of items, click here).
Related: Reminder: This is How and When to Wash Your Hands
Scary, to say the least. Experts advise that, while not every button battery ingested leads to tragic circumstances, parents and caregivers should be especially cautious when using button batteries that are as big as a penny or larger. (FYI, those that are 20 mm diameter lithium cells cause the most serious complications when swallowed).
These tiny things can also be extremely dangerous when kids place them in their nose or ears.
Some tips: never change a button battery in front of a child, and don’t allow children to play with items that have easily accessible batteries.
And if someone in your household wears a hearing aid powered by button batteries, make sure they are aware of the importance of keeping those batteries out of reach of small hands.
Small lives are precious. For more on what to do if your child swallows a button battery, click here.
