Christmas toys with button batteries ‘potentially lethal’ for children, parents warned
‘For toddlers, button batteries can look like sweets,’ says NHS England medical director
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Parents are being warned by NHS England to keep toys with button batteries out of reach from children after a girl nearly died from swallowing one.
The small circular batteries have been labelled “potentially lethal” as they can burn through a child’s throat if accidentally swallowed.
Button batteries are used to power many popular gadgets and toys, some of which will be given as gifts this Christmas.
The batteries are also commonly found in some gaming headsets, festive lights, light-up yo-yos and fitness trackers.
NHS England medical director, Professor Stephen Powis said: “For toddlers, button batteries can look like sweets and are found in anything from toys to musical Christmas cards and festive decorations, so we want to ensure parents are aware of the dangers of these potentially lethal batteries.”
Powis says the best way to protect children from any dangers is to simply keep button batteries away from children and ensure than any toys requiring them have safely locked battery compartments.
“If you think your child may have swallowed a battery, urgently take them to A&E, and our incredible NHS staff – thousands of whom will be on shift on wards on Christmas Day – will be there to look after your child.”
The warning comes months after a two-year-old girl in Sheffield nearly died from swallowing a button battery.
Ashley Martin, public health adviser at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said: "We would encourage people to be vigilant in ensuring that all products that contain button batteries are kept well away from young children.
"Christmas is a particularly important time as so many additional novelty products that contain button batteries, including musical cards, and battery-powered decorations are around the house.
"It's important to remember how harmful these products can be if picked up and swallowed."
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