Chances are many of you received toys this holiday season that require batteries. I know we did – LeapFrog guitar, TAG Reader, electronic books and a toy camera. And while I obviously knew that batteries weren’t something for my kids to play with, I didn’t realize just how dangerous batteries could be until I got an email from a friend talking about the dangers of a swallowed battery. Some of the batteries we installed were super tiny and we all know that toddlers love to put things in their mouths.
According to an article from WakeMed Hospitals, if a coin-sized button battery gets stuck in a child’s throat, the saliva triggers an electrical current. This causes a chemical reaction that can severely burn the esophagus in as little as two hours.
It is important to know that:
- Damage can continue even AFTER the battery is removed.
- Repairing the damage is painful and can require feeding tubes, breathing tubes and multiple surgeries. In some cases, children have died.
- Spotting the problem is difficult. Children can usually breathe with the battery in their throat.
You can take simple steps to protect your child(ren).
- Look in your home for any item that may contain coin-sized button batteries.
- Place devices out of sight and out of reach of small children.
- Keep loose or spare batteries locked away.
- Tape battery compartments closed.
- Share this life-saving information with caregivers, friends, family members and sitters.
If you suspect your child has swallowed a battery, go to the emergency room immediately. Tell doctors and nurses that it might be a battery. If possible, provide the identification number found on the battery’s package. Do not let the child eat or drink until a chest x-ray can determine if a battery is present and do not induce vomiting.
It’s scary stuff I know, but I truly had no concept of the damage a battery could do. We put batteries in so many things, and never think anything of it. I mean, how easy would it be to take apart one of those musical holiday cards?
I hope and pray that none of you have to follow these tips, but I wanted you to have them just in case.