The industry takes battery safety seriously. BIPBA continues to raise awareness of the issues associated with children accidentally swallowing these types of batteries through a variety of awareness raising programmes.

Button and coin cell batteries pose a potential risk if swallowed by a child. In partnership, BIPBA and CAPT have created a number of resources which aim to inform parents and clinicians about the potential risks of these batteries, and how to minimise the chances of accidents occurring in the home.

Button batteries are small, round, silver-coloured batteries that come in many different sizes and types. They power many of devices from remote controls, key fobs, watches to toys. Most button batteries pass through the body without a problem; however, they pose a serious risk if ingested by very young children.

Lithium button batteries (often called ‘coin batteries’ or ‘coin cell batteries’) are more powerful than button batteries and are also bigger in size. The larger lithium coin cell batteries are usually 25 mm.

If a lithium coin cell battery gets stuck in the oesophagus, energy from the battery reacts with saliva to create caustic soda. This can burn through a child’s food pipe, to the main artery and may lead to serious internal burns, which can result in chronic health problems or death unless there is rapid medical intervention.

Such situations require urgent medical attention to immediately remove the battery.

For further information, please visit the resources page, visit CAPT’s button battery hub and the portable battery industry’s battery safety website which contain a wide range of resources and advice.