We use electronic devices every day without giving them a second thought. However, did you know that there is a hidden danger inside many of these devices that poses a serious risk for children?
Powerful coin-sized button batteries are found in many common household devices. Children often have easy access to these devices and many parents/carers are unaware of the dangers as the products commonly come with the batteries already installed.
If swallowed, button batteries can become stuck in a child’s throat and burn through the oesophagus in less than 2 hours. This burning can lead to serious injury requiring surgery, or death.
In Australia, around 20 children a week present to an emergency department with a button battery related injury – that’s over 1,000 children every year. Children under the age of 5 years are at the greatest risk.
To prevent button battery related death and injury:
If you think a child has swallowed or inserted a button battery, urgent action is needed. Don’t wait for them to show symptoms, call the Poisons Information Centre urgently for expert advice on what to do, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 13 11 26.
Kidsafe Victoria are proud to work with Bella’s Footprints to develop and implement a billboard campaign aimed at increasing awareness of the devastating dangers button batteries can pose for children.
In 2015, at 14-months-old, Isabella passed away after ingesting a button battery. She is one of three Australian children who have died due to a button battery related injury since 2013. Isabella’s mother, Allison, established Bella’s Footprints i honour of her daughter, raising awareness of the dangers that button batteries can pose so that other families don’t have to endure the same pain and suffering her family has.
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Kidsafe Victoria, in partnership with Safer Care Victoria and the Victorian Paediatric Clinical Network, have developed a range of resources to raise awareness of the dangers posed by button batteries and the need for urgent medical care. Resources include a poster for Clinicians, a poster for General Practitioners and poster and DL brochure for parents and carers. To download a free copy of the resources, please click on the links below.
These button battery resources were originally developed by Kidsafe SA and SA Health.
If you think a child has swallowed or inserted a button battery, urgent action is needed. Don’t wait for them to show symptoms, call the Poisons Information Centre urgently for expert advice on what to do, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 13 11 26.
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Kidsafe Victoria are proud to work with Bella’s Footprints to develop and implement a billboard campaign aimed at increasing awareness of the devastating dangers button batteries can pose for children.
Â
In 2015, at 14-months-old, Isabella passed away after ingesting a button battery. She is one of three Australian children who have died due to a button battery related injury since 2013. Isabella’s mother, Allison, established Bella’s Footprints i honour of her daughter, raising awareness of the dangers that button batteries can pose so that other families don’t have to endure the same pain and suffering her family has.
Â
Kidsafe Victoria, in partnership with Safer Care Victoria and the Victorian Paediatric Clinical Network, have developed a range of resources to raise awareness of the dangers posed by button batteries and the need for urgent medical care. Resources include a poster for Clinicians, a poster for General Practitioners and poster and DL brochure for parents and carers. To download a free copy of the resources, please click on the links below.
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These button battery resources were originally developed by Kidsafe SA and SA Health.
