What to Do When Swallowing Button Batteries

Button batteries and lithium coin batteries are the small, round, batteries you find in toys, cards, watches, key fobs, calculators, hearing aids and numerous other everyday objects. They appear to be relatively harmless and you would assume that if swallowed they would pass straight through with no problems.

However, this is far from true. Hospital has reported an increase in life-changing injuries resulting from these small but incredibly deadly batteries. The battery is swallowed and gets stuck at any point in its journey; then it continues to emit its charge and can burn through the tissues and cause lasting and often fatal injuries.

Lithium coin batteries are particularly dangerous and can burn through tissues and often blood vessels within a matter of hours. Reported instances of child consumption of button batteries have revealed that often parents are oblivious to the fact that their child has swallowed the battery and the first symptoms they are aware of, is their child vomiting blood. Sadly, this is often too as irreparable damage has already occurred to the child’s vital organs.

Sometimes button batteries do pass through the body without a problem. However, if a button battery, particularly a lithium coin battery, gets stuck in someone’s oesophagus, energy from the battery creates corrosive caustic soda and it is this that burns through the tissues and causes horrendous damage and internal bleeding.

Lithium coin batteries have a higher voltage and therefore release more energy and are more corrosive; fatal damage can therefore occur in just a couple of hours.

If children find a button battery, they may not swallow it, they could just as easily pop it up their nose or stick it in their ear. This too can result in lasting damage.

Prevention:

Prevention and vigilance is key:

• Always check that battery compartments are securely fastened.
• If a battery is missing and you think it likely your child may have swallowed it, take your child to A&E for an x-ray to be sure.
• If the battery compartment isn’t secured with a screw; ensure that they are well out of reach of children. Avoid buying products that do not conform to EU safety standards.
• Store spare batteries carefully; out of children’s reach and sight and ideally in a high-up, lockable cupboard. They are potentially as dangerous as medicines and your cleaning products.
• Inform your whole family about the dangers of button batteries.
• Even used batteries can be dangerous, so recycle them safely.

If you think your child may have swallowed a button battery – Act fast!

• Take them to your nearest Accident and Emergency Department quickly
• Tell the triage nurse that you think they have swallowed a battery – if you remember take the gadget with you, so the staff can identify they type of battery you are worried about.
• Do not wait for any signs or symptoms
• Do not try to make them sick
• Do not give them anything to eat or drink

You child will be X-rayed to establish, if the battery is there and where it is lodged.

If necessary, they will be taken for an operation to remove the battery as a matter of urgency.