The batteries are common in adult products that tend to get into the hands of young children — remotes, electronic key fobs, even singing greeting cards. Eleven children have died after swallowing button batteries over the past six years, and the National Capital Poison Center said about 3,500 swallowing cases are reported annually in the U.S. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a warning about button batteries in March.
“You could really say it’s an invisible threat,” said Stacey Harbour, director of marketing for Energizer. “Most of these devices are just so readily available and because the battery door isn’t secure, it just makes it very accessible to the child.”
Karla Rauch was preparing a first birthday party for her son, Emmett, last October when he came down with a fever and began acting lethargic. She took him to an urgent care center and was told he had a cold or flu.
But days later, Emmett began throwing up blood. An X-ray found the button battery lodged in his esophagus. Rauch said the battery came out of a remote control she had left on the floor. When Emmett got ahold of it, the battery snapped right out.
Nearly a year later, Emmett has undergone 14 surgeries to repair holes in his esophagus and other damage caused by the battery. He’s relearning how to swallow and suffers from chronic lung problems.
“He’s a fighter,” Karla Rauch said. “We just keep fighting with him.”
Litovitz said severe and fatal swallowing injuries have increased sevenfold since 1985. Part of the reason is the increased use of lithium, which provides more power in the batteries, but also is more dangerous if swallowed, Litovitz said.
“I think the parent is unknowingly thinking normal household products are safe for their children, and they’re not,” Litovitz said.
Makers of toys and other products designed for children must meet certain standards to ensure batteries cannot be easily removed — such as requiring a screw to secure the compartment door. Those requirements don’t exist for products meant for adults, although children can often get their hands on them.
For example, Meri-K Appy, president of Safe Kids USA, noted the batteries are used in bathroom scales, which are easily accessible to children crawling on the floor. Parents sometimes give car keys to children to play with — and the key chain often contains a fob for opening car doors that is powered by the tiny battery.
Read more: washingtonpost
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