Safe and Secure - Button Battery Safety Campaign

What is Safe and Secure?

Safe and secure is a major campaign to raise awareness and prevent ingestion of button batteries and other products.

What are button batteries?

 

• Button batteries (also known as button cell batteries, or coin batteries) are small flat circular batteries that are used to power many objects around the home.

• These batteries come in a variety of sizes but most are 1-2cm in diameter. This means that they are of a similar size and shape to some sweets, so can be easily swallowed.

• They are extremely dangerous to children if swallowed
   

Where will you find button batteries within the home?

Button batteries are used to power many objects around the home including:

How do I keep my child safe?

• Look around your home for items containing button batteries.

• Check that battery compartments are secure.

• Keep new batteries in their original blister packaging, and when not in use keep in a locked cupboard. 

• Toys are legally required to have lockable compartments, but we would still recommend that you conduct checks to make sure they are secure.

• Some products are not legally required to have lockable compartments so ensure that these items are moved high out of reach and sight of young children.

• Only buy toys and other equipment from reliable sources as they are more likely to have passed safety regulations.

• When a battery has run out of power it still has some charge that can cause damage if swallowed. Dispose of it safely straight away if you can, but make sure any used batteries are kept well out of reach of children.

• Take care when changing batteries to make sure the compartment is secured afterwards, then make certain that the old battery is kept out of reach of children until it can be disposed of safely.

• Batteries should not be put in the household rubbish. Check the disposal arrangements in your area. Many supermarkets have battery disposal bins.
   

What should you do if you think your child has swallowed a button battery?

• ​These batteries can cause serious internal damage. When combined with saliva, the electrical current from the battery produces caustic soda that can burn through the throat or stomach and can cause further damage to other internal organs.

• If you suspect your child has swallowed a button battery, you should take them to your nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) department immediately.

• Do not give your child anything to eat or drink or try to make them sick. If possible, try to find out what kind of battery your child swallowed but do not delay taking them to hospital if you cannot immediately see what they have swallowed.
   

Other Poisoning and Ingestion risks

• Magnets sometimes called ‘Buckyballs’ can be found in:

  •  Toys

  • Fake tongue piercings and other gadgets

The magnets can attract one another through the stomach and intestinal walls, causing punctures in the stomach and intestinal walls leading to abdominal obstructions and lifelong digestive disorders.

• Household cleaning products should always be stored in their original containers, replace lids and put all products away immediately after use

• Dispose of unwanted household cleaning products safely

• Use household cleaning products according to label directions and remember that mixing household products can cause dangerous gases to form.

• Please remember to choose age appropriate toys for younger children as toys for older children may contain small parts

The majority of hospital admissions from accidental poisoning are from children swallowing medication. Please make sure that all medication is stored in a lockable cupboard out of the reach of children.