The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is advising parents to be mindful that while toys are now required to have a secure compartment for button batteries, which if ingested can cause serious internal damage, other items like light up accessories, novelties and car keys that contain these batteries are not.
According to RoSPA, mixed with saliva, live or dead button batteries release caustic soda which can easily burn through flesh. This can cause ‘catastrophic’ internal bleeding. It says that children are particularly at risk due to having a smaller digestive tract, meaning button batteries are more likely to get ‘lodged’.
Signs that a child might have swallowed a button battery include:
- Suddenly developing a cough, gagging or drooling a lot.
- Being sick and having an upset stomach.
- Pointing to their throat or stomach.
- Having tummy, chest or throat pain.
- Being quiet or more clingy than usual.
- Having a reduced appetite and not wanting to eat.
Phillip LeShirley, product safety advisor at RoSPA, said, ‘The dangers posed by button batteries should not be underestimated. RoSPA welcomes the news that Standards for Toys have been strengthened recently to reduce further the risks that button batteries pose. We are advising parents to be mindful that it is not just toys that contain button batteries, and to be extra vigilant.’
