Not Cute as a Button!

 

With the holidays just around the corner, parents should be extra cautious about the dangers of button batteries. Unlike the cylinder type, button batteries can be easily swallowed by young children who are often attracted to their shiny round appearance. Button batteries are also dangerous if inserted into the nose or ears.

Button batteries are found in many household items such as remote controls, key fobs, hearing aids, toys, and even singing greeting cards, costume jewelry, or holiday ornaments.

Boston Children’s Hospital reports every three hours, a child arrives at an emergency department having ingested a battery. Because parents may not witness their child swallow a button battery, it is important to know some warning signs that may indicate they need medical attention. These signs include:

• sudden crying
• drooling
• decreased eating or drinking
• difficulty swallowing
• hoarse voice
• vomiting
• chest pain or discomfort
• abdominal pain
• blood in saliva or stool (poop)

According to HealthyChildren.org, “when a button or lithium battery comes into contact with body fluids, the battery generates a current. That current produces small amounts of sodium hydroxide, a harsh corrosive similar to lye. If the battery gets stuck somewhere in the body, the lye burns a hole at that spot. Infection usually follows. The result can be serious injury and illness, long-term disability or even death.”

If you believe a child has swallowed a battery, do not delay in getting them to the hospital. The National Safety Council also recommends you:

• Call the 24-hour National Battery Ingestion Hotline (800) 498-8666.
• If available, provide the battery identification number, found on the package or from a matching battery.
• In most cases, an X-ray must be obtained to determine whether the battery has passed through the esophagus into the stomach; if the battery remains in the esophagus, it must be removed immediately.
• Don’t induce vomiting; don’t eat or drink until the X-ray shows the battery is beyond the esophagus.
• Report fever, abdominal pain, vomiting or blood in stools immediately.
  
  

If your child is at least one year old, is not allergic and can swallow liquids, give them two teaspoons of honey and take them to the ER immediately.

To prevent batteries from being swallowed, never allow young children to chew on household items that contain batteries such as key fobs, remote controls, and cell phones. Routinely inspect all toys with batteries to ensure compartments are secure and there is no corrosion. 

 

Author:  Heather Reister, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Butler County. 

Reviewer:  Laura Stanton, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Warren County