Warning on ‘button’ batteries

FAMILIES are being urged to be aware of the danger of button batteries - commonly found around the house in toys, remote controls and car fobs - following the death of a child who had swallowed one.

The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch said the small, round batteries can cause serious harm and even death when swallowed. It said the battery, when swallowed, starts to discharge its ‘current’ and, within a couple of hours, serious internal burns can occur in the upper chest region, leading to long-term problems with breathing and swallowing - and even death.