The tiny household item sending more kids to hospital than you’d think

One swallowed button battery can change everything. Here’s what every parent should know.

They’re tiny enough to fit in the palm of your hand, but a button battery can cause life-changing injuries in a matter of hours.

Found in everything from TV remotes and car keys to bathroom scales, musical greeting cards and children’s toys, button batteries are hiding in plain sight in most family homes. And if a child swallows one, even a “flat” battery, it can burn through delicate tissue in as little as two hours, causing catastrophic internal injuries and, in some cases, death.

It’s a frightening thought, but it’s also one every parent and carer should know about. Here’s why button batteries are so dangerous, how to make your home safer and what to do if you suspect your child has swallowed one.

Why are button batteries so dangerous?

Unlike many swallowed objects that simply pass through the digestive system, button batteries are different.

When a lithium button battery comes into incontact with saliva, it creates an electrical current that triggers a chemical reaction. This can burn through soft tissue in as little as two hours and sometimes damage can begin in as little as 15 minutes.

If the battery becomes lodged in the oesophagus, it can burn through surrounding tissue and damage nearby organs including the airway, lungs and major blood vessels. Even after the battery has been removed, the burn can continue, meaning some children require multiple surgeries to repair the damage.

Why young children are most at risk

Children aged under five are particularly vulnerable because they’re naturally curious and explore the world by putting things in their mouths.

Button batteries are small, shiny and coin-shaped, making them easy for little hands to pick up. Some children are even attracted to the slight buzz they create on the tongue, making them seem harmless, when they’re anything but.

According to Australian estimates, around 20 children every week present to an emergency department after a suspected button battery ingestion or insertion. Roughly one child every month suffers severe injuries requiring emergency procedures to remove the battery or repair internal damage.

The safety advice every parent should follow

The good news is there are simple ways to reduce the risk at home.

• Store new and used button batteries well out of children’s reach.
• Check that battery compartments are secured with screws and can’t be easily opened.
• Dispose of used batteries immediately, they can still cause serious injuries even when flat.
• Never leave loose batteries in handbags, drawers or on benchtops.
• Teach older siblings not to leave battery-powered gadgets where younger children can access them.

New technology is making batteries safer

As button batteries become more common in everyday devices, manufacturers are also looking for ways to improve safety. One recent innovation is the Energizer Ultimate Child Shield™ coin lithium battery that prevents life-threatening ingestion burns if swallowed.

While safer battery technology is a welcome step forward, experts stress that safe storage, secure battery compartments and correct disposal remain essential.

“Creating safer spaces for children starts with awareness,” says Australian children’s entertainer Dr Emma Watkins. “It can be easy to overlook how readily coin lithium batteries can make their way into the home. Simple steps like safe storage and proper disposal, alongside innovations from brands like Energizer, can make a meaningful difference in helping protect little ones.”

Theo Mallos, co-founder of Rescueblue and a former paramedic, says speed is critical if a battery is swallowed. “A 20mm coin lithium battery is similar in size to a young child’s oesophagus, meaning it can easily become lodged if swallowed. As a paramedic, I’ve seen how quickly these situations can become life threatening. Tissue damage can begin in as little as 15 minutes.”

How to safely dispose of button batteries

Used doesn’t mean safe. Even flat button batteries can retain enough charge to cause serious burns if swallowed, so it’s important to dispose of them correctly.

Before recycling:

• Place sticky tape over both sides of the battery.
• Alternatively, wrap the entire battery in tape.
• Store taped batteries in a small container or plastic bag until you can recycle them.
• Never place button batteries in household rubbish or kerbside recycling, where they can pose both a child safety risk and a fire hazard.
• Instead, recycle them through a dedicated battery recycling point, such as participating Woolworths, Bunnings, Kmart or Officeworks stores. Visit the B-cycle locator map to find your nearest accredited drop-off point at bcycle.com.au.

What to do if you think your child has swallowed a button battery

If you suspect your child has swallowed or inserted a button battery, treat it as a medical emergency, even if they’re not showing symptoms.

Go to your nearest emergency department immediately or call 000 if your child is having difficulty breathing.

Don’t wait for symptoms to appear, don’t induce vomiting and don’t let your child eat or drink unless directed by medical professionals. The sooner the battery is removed, the better the chance of preventing devastating injuries.

When it comes to button batteries, minutes matter. A quick response could save your child’s life.