Late last month, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released a warning about button batteries, so Childsafetyblog.org decided to learn more about the cause for heightened concern. First, the use of button batteries, manufactured since 1978, has increased exponentially. Button batteries, so-called due to their nearly flat-round, button-like appearance, now can be found in many children's toys and games, as well as singing greeting cards, thermometers, DVD players, calculators, and appliances in the home from hearing aids to radios, flashlights, watches, remotes, and many other products to which children have access.

Sadly, due to the fact that button batteries are prevalent and appliances can be found where young children can reach out and touch them, children are getting hold of and swallowing the batteries, even mistaking them for candy.  Frequently, the worst incidents have involved children under four years of age.  Dr. Toby Litovitz of the National Capital Poison Center in Washington, D.C.,  noted that battery-swallowing incidents "have increased seven-fold since 1985." [1]http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11181.html  The majority of reported incidents have been caused by ingesting 20 mm diameter, or larger, 3 volt batteries.

While an ingested button battery may sometimes pass through a child's intestines, more often a battery can become lodged in a child's throat or intestine and can release hydroxide which can cause chemical burns or even death.  Frequently, a parent is not aware that a child has swallowed a battery.  In addition, many of these incidents have been misdiagnosed by physicians as there are few recognizable symptoms other than a possible fever and upset stomach which are similar to the onset of other childhood illnesses.  Dr. Litovitz also noted, "From the late 1970's until now there have been 14 fatalities in the U.S. that we're aware of, and of those 10 were just in the last six years. So that should send a signal of warning."[2] http://www.genesishcs.org/body.cfm?xyzpdqabc=0&id=6&action=detail&AEProductID=HealthScoutfeed&AEArticleID=34238&AEArticleType=3

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has begun to engage battery manufacturers and the electronics industry in an effort to get safety warnings placed on packaging and items that use button batteries. The CPSC recommends the following regarding the use and disposal of button batteries:

• Discard button batteries carefully.
• Do not allow children to play with button batteries, and keep button batteries out of your child's reach.
• Caution hearing aid users to keep hearing aids and batteries out of the reach of children.
• Never put button batteries in your mouth for any reason as they are easily swallowed accidentally.
• Always check medications before ingesting them. Adults have swallowed button batteries mistaken for pills or tablets.
• Keep remotes and other electronics out of your child's reach if the battery compartments do not have a screw to secure them. Use tape to help secure the battery compartment.
• If a button battery is ingested, immediately seek medical attention. The National Battery Ingestion Hotline is available anytime at (202) 625-3333 (call collect if necessary), or call your poison center at (800) 222-1222.