Beware those batteries!
Published
Two-thirds of parents worry that their home isn’t properly child-proofed, according to research by Energizer. An area of special concern is batteries. Of the parents polled in the survey, 40 per cent said they wouldn’t know how to spot whether their child had swallowed a battery. And 34 per cent rarely check toys for potential choking hazards, such as coin batteries. These are found in remote controls, toys and key fobs, and they are small objects that can cause a big problem.
In the run-up to Christmas, NHS doctor and author Dr Emily MacDonagh has some potentially life-saving advice on how to child-proof your home against the risks of battery ingestion, and what to do if your child does swallow a battery.
Store securely: When not in use, keep batteries sealed in childproof containers and stored out of reach from small, curious fingers. When disposing of batteries, they should be kept in a sealed container and disposed of at a local recycling point.
Keep an eye on toys and devices: Check children’s toys and devices regularly to make sure battery covers are secure, un-tampered with, and not showing signs of wear and tear. Toys and devices with screwed or latched battery compartments are safest for little ones.
Avoid mixing battery types: As tempting as it can be when switching coin batteries, avoid just grabbing any old replacement. Batteries from different brands, at different ages, or with different charge level capacities shouldn’t be mixed. Check which battery is the correct one for your device.
Battery safety first: Coin batteries are used all over the house – from remote controls to toys and key fobs. It’s best to use ones with built-in safety features to reduce the risk of ingestion. Look out for ones that immediately show if they have been accidentally swallowed. Energizer® Ultimate Lithium™ 3-in-1 Child Shield Lithium Coin Battery will turn the mouth blue to indicate it has been consumed.
Know what to do in an emergency: Symptoms like coughing, drooling, difficulty swallowing or breathing and vomiting, are potential indicators. Also look out for lesser-known side effects, such as blood in stools, a hoarse voice, a weakened appetite, slurred speech, muscle cramps and swollen feet or ankles. If you do think your child has swallowed a battery, seek immediate medical attention.
Energizer’s Ultimate Lithium™ 3-in-1 Child Shield Lithium Coin Battery is equipped with three levels of child protection. Colour Alert technology dries the mouth instantly if it comes into contact with saliva. The packaging makes it difficult for little fingers to get into, with each battery encased in its own individual blister until needed. And a non-toxic bitter coating has been applied to the cell to discourage swallowing.
