There has been a recent spike in hospital admissions, resulting from children swallowing small button batteries.  As electronic gadgets become ever more present in the home, so do the batteries that are needed to make them work.  These batteries are usually ‘button batteries’ or lithium coin batteries and are found in remote controls, children’s toys, watches, key fobs, hearing aids and various other everyday objects.  They look harmless enough (and are temptingly the size of a sweet to an unknowing child) but, if swallowed, they can cause life-changing injuries.   It’s not just swallowing these batteries that can cause problems though.  They are just as easily popped up a nose – or in an ear – and doing either of these can also cause serious, lasting damage to a child.  This makes it more important than ever to know how to keep children safe around batteries.

Not everything that is swallowed accidentally passes straight though a child and out the other end, as you would hope. Lithium coin batteries are particularly dangerous, as they have a higher voltage and therefore release more energy.  If a swallowed battery gets stuck at any point in its journey through the body, then it continues to emit its charge and can burn through tissue and blood vessels within hours, causing lasting and often fatal injuries.  Even if the battery appears to be ‘dead’, it can still emit a small charge, so it’s imperitive to remain vigilant with all batteries and make sure they are always stored and disposed of appropriately.

To see exactly how a button battery burns through flesh click here or click on the image above

As a child may not necessarily know that they have done something wrong by swallowing a battery, they may not tell you straight away … if at all!  The first sign you may see that something is wrong is if they start to vomit blood.  This may mean it’s too late to be able to help, as irreparable damage may have already been done.

To avoid the problem happening in the first place though, please follow these prevention tips and remain vigilant at all times.

To stop a child accidentally swallowing a battery:

• Always check that battery compartments are securely fastened.
• If a device’s battery compartment isn’t secured with a screw; ensure that they are well out of reach of children. Avoid buying products that do not conform to EU safety standards.
• Store spare batteries carefully; out of children’s reach and sight and ideally in a high-up, lockable cupboard. They are potentially as dangerous as medicines and cleaning products.
• Inform your whole family about the dangers of button batteries.
• Even used batteries can be dangerous, so recycle them safely.

If you think your child may have swallowed a button battery – act fast!

• If a battery is missing and you think it likely your child may have swallowed it, take your child straight to A&E for an x-ray to be sure.
• Tell the triage nurse that you think they have swallowed a battery – if you remember, take the gadget with you so the staff can identify they type of battery you are worried about.
• Do not wait for any signs or symptoms.
• Do not try to make them sick.
• Do not give them anything to eat or drink.

Once at hospital, your child will be X-rayed to establish if the battery is there – and if it is, where it is lodged.  If necessary, they will be taken for an operation to remove the battery as a matter of urgency.

First Aid for Life and onlinefirstaid.com provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. First Aid for Life is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken based on this information.

It is strongly advised that you attend a practical First Aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.

Written by Emma Hammett from First Aid for life  firstaidforlife.org.uk/

www.onlinefirstaid.com emma@firstaidforlife.org.uk  tel: 02086754036