Yesterday, we wrote about button batteries, and how children mistake them for sweets and pop them in their mouths. We also pointed out how button batteries are almost the ‘perfect storm’ when kids ingest them. As promised, we are back today with tips on how to protect kids from button battery burns.
Parents’ First Defense is Education and Vigilance
We can offer the best available advice, and we will. But kids are sharp and have curious minds. The best starting point is keeping new and used button batteries under lock and key.
You may have enough of them in various devices to justify having a household button battery register. Explain to kids as soon as they can understand that button batteries are not sweets.
Protect kids from button battery burns systematically. One of the risks we face is putting used button batteries down and forgetting where they are. Can you spot any on this desk? We believe we can.
Packaging is the Best Way to Protect Kids from Button Battery Burns
Battery manufacturers supply button batteries in secure packaging. This is why they are such an irritation to open.
They also provide safety warnings on their packaging, although the print is so tiny as to make it hard to read. Once we remove them, we open the possibility of a short circuit.
The best way to protect kids from button battery burns is to keep them in devices, or otherwise under lock and key. We should tape over the terminals at the end of their useful life, and dispose of button batteries responsibly. Never put a ‘naked’ button battery in your pocket. Just because the device looks cute does not mean button batteries are harmless.
I Think My Kid Swallowed a Button Battery
You need to do something about this right away. Do not let your child drink or eat. Do not cause them to vomit either. If they opened a new button battery, try to find the packaging. Then take them to a hospital emergency room. The doctors will know what to do when you tell them what the kid swallowed. A battery that appears ‘flat’ can still hold enough charge to cause harm.
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