A Hidden Danger - Button Batteries

Growing up in our generation, batteries were too large for a child to swallow. Now, we have "button batteries" in watches, TV, VCR, and stereo remote controls, various other household gadgets, and even children's toys. Who knew a remote controlled car or a talking doll could be deadly? Who doesn't have a remote control for the television within reach of a child? Button batteries are not toys. When a small child ingests one, it gets lodged in their esophagus and can be a silent killer. If a child is not old enough to tell you what has happened or doesn't want to mention that they swallowed something, or even doesn't know it was wrong, you may not know until it's too late. In as little as three hours, a battery can begin to corrode in water. The body's fluids and digestive acids can hasten this process. When the battery begins to corrode, it can eat through the esophagus or the lining of the stomach in a very short time. By the time a child is uncomfortable, damage is being done. By the time you get the child to the doctor or an emergency room and x-rays discover the foreign object, the child's life could be in imminent danger or the esophagus permanently damaged, leaving the child to contend with the inability to eat or swallow for a lifetime.

The only way to protect a child against this problem is to make sure that any device in your home which has one of these batteries is either locked away safely or requires a tool to get into the device to change the battery. In some cases -- watches for instance -- the battery can simply be popped off the back. With toys, make sure that the hinged door that houses the battery is actually screwed on, rather than just being a latch.

I think we're going to hear more and more about the dangers of these batteries, but not before many children die or are permanently injured as a result. Please make it a point to share with your friends and relatives that this is a hidden danger and needs to be monitored strictly. If your child is in day care or pre-school, be sure to alert your caregivers. A tiny battery can be swallowed in an instant and if you were simply looking away, you wouldn't have a clue. The problem is that, in this type of situation, there is no margin for error.