Tech Savvy Mama

Parenting in the Digital Age

Dangers of Button Batteries in Small Tech Devices

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We know that technology requires batteries and while we love the fact that our devices are getting smaller and more portable, they rely on smaller coin size button-type batteries that are hazardous for young children. Commonly found in remote controls for MP3 players, they are also in other devices such as singing or talking greeting cards or books, flameless candles, car keys, bathroom scales, and calculators, button batteries are very dangerous. These batteries can get stuck in a child’s throat and can cause serious burns in the esophagus in less than 2 hours.

3,400 reported cases of ingestion (many more went unreported), 19 serious injuries, and some deaths were caused by button batteries in 2010.

Due to the danger of button batteries, Safe Kids Worldwide and Energizer announced a critical partnership to share life-saving information with parents and caregivers about the potential risks of swallowing coin-sized button batteries. The formation of The Battery Controlled by Safe Kids and Energizer shines a light on this growing issue and provides easy steps parents and caregivers can take to prevent injuries and deaths to children.

What can you do to keep your child safe?  

Here are some tips to be mindful of especially as new devices make their way into your home as holiday gifts:

  • Take the pledge to keep button batteries and devices that use them out of reach if the battery compartments aren’t secure.
  • Know what to do if your child swallows a battery.  Go to the emergency room right away.  Don’t let your child eat or drink or induce vomiting and, if possible, provide medical personnel with the type of battery or what kind of device the battery came from.
  • Tell others about this hidden danger. Visit The Battery Controlled website for additional information, like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and check the hashtag #BatteryControlled for Tweets.
This post was sponsored by Energizer as part of their Battery Controlled initiative.

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Original post by Tech Savvy Mama
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