Button Batteries

Button Batteries - A Serious Risk

In Australia, 20 children present to an emergency department each week from a button battery ingestion or insertion.

When swallowed, these small button batteries can get stuck in a child's throat and cause severe burns and long term damage to the airways. Children under the age of 5 years are at the greatest risk. Across Australia, around 20 children a week present to an emergency department with a button battery related injury.

We use electronic devices every day without giving them a second thought. But there is a hidden danger inside many small electronic devices that all parents and carers need to know about. Powerful coin-sized button batteries can be found in many household devices such as car remotes, electronic candles, watches, singing greeting cards and other electronic devices. Often these can be easily accessed - even by a child.