Button batteries can be found in remote controls, calculators, greeting cards, MP3 speakers, hearing aids, and some other common household devices.
The ACCC is supporting another awareness initiative aimed at preventing injuries to children and young people. Small lithium button batteries pose a risk for young children if swallowed.
Button batteries can be found in remote controls, calculators, greeting cards, MP3 speakers, hearing aides, and some other common household devices.
On average, four children per week present at emergency departments in Australia as a result of injuries, or potential injuries, caused by these small batteries.
Button batteries only pose a risk if children open the devices they are in and swallow them. If children can’t get access to them, the risk is negligible.
If swallowed, the batteries can lodge in the throats of children, where saliva immediately triggers an electrical current, causing a chemical reaction that can severely burn through the oesophagus.
The initiative—which was launched in Brisbane in April with Commissioner Sarah Court representing the ACCC—is a joint effort between the ACCC, Energizer and Kidsafe.
The advice from the initiative partners is to:
examine devices and make sure the battery compartment is secure
keep coin‑sized button batteries and devices out of sight and out of reach
dispose of old button batteries immediately
if swallowing of a button battery is suspected, go to the emergency room immediately
call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for additional treatment information
tell others about this threat and share these steps.
More information about button batteries is at www.thebatterycontrolled.com.au and on the Product Safety Australia website (www.productsafety.gov.au) and social media channels: @ProductSafetyAU Twitter account and the ACCC Product Safety Facebook page.
