Focus
- Keep button cells and products containing button cells out of the reach of children.
- Button cells can cause serious injury if children put them in their ears, eyes or nose, or if they swallow them.
- If a child swallows or swallows a button cell, call the Poisons Information Centre on 131 126.
About button cells -These are small, disc-shaped batteries.
Coin cells are used to power many household and personal items, including:
- some toys
- Remote controls and key chains
- Digital scales, calculators and meters
- Musical greeting cards
- Home decorations such as fairy lights or tea lights
- Watches, hearing aids and bright holiday decorations. Limit battery risks to children
- If your child puts button batteries in their nose, ears, or eyes, they could get stuck and get hurt.
If your child puts a connected battery in their mouth or swallows it, the main risks are:
Asphyxia – This is a condition where a child’s airway becomes blocked. Anything less than 20 cents can be inhaled.
Internal burns – The chemicals in button batteries can burn through the food pipe in as little as 2 hours. These burns can cause serious injury, surgery, or death. What to do if a child has a button battery stuck in their nose, eyes, ears, or other body part
Seek medical advice if your child has a button battery stuck in their nose, eyes, ears, or other body part. Do not try to remove the battery yourself as this can cause further injury.
If your child swallows a button battery, the symptoms may not be obvious. They can be similar to other illnesses.
For example, your child may:
- Vomiting, drooling, or have difficulty swallowing
- Chest or stomach pain
- Start coughing or wheezing
- Vomiting or refusing to eat
- Blood in vomit, sputum, or saliva, or blood from the nose or ears
- Fever or feeling unwell.
