{"id":2397,"date":"2021-12-09T14:49:57","date_gmt":"2021-12-09T03:49:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wantirnasouthelc.com.au\/?p=2397"},"modified":"2021-12-09T14:49:57","modified_gmt":"2021-12-09T03:49:57","slug":"button-batteries-safety-during-the-festive-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wantirnasouthelc.com.au\/button-batteries-safety-during-the-festive-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Button Batteries & Safety During the Festive Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

Button Batteries<\/h3>\n

Since 2013, three Australian children under three have lost their lives after swallowing a button battery; four-year-old Summer Steer, 14-month-old Isabella Rees and three-year-old Brittany Conway. In addition to these tragic deaths, it is estimated that one child in Australia needs to be hospitalised every day because they have swallowed a button battery. Of these kids, one child a month is also seriously injured, with some sustaining lifelong injuries. All because of a button battery. <\/p>\n

Button battery warning
\n<\/strong>Many people are unaware that these batteries are so dangerous if swallowed. But they are \u2013 once ingested, they start to attack from the inside, affecting the bowels, oesophagus, nose and ears. New safety standards were introduced on 21 December 2020, they will be mandatory on 22 June 2022. You can read about these <\/em>here<\/em><\/a>.<\/em> There are some button battery safety tips that all parents need to know, especially with the lead-up to Christmas.<\/p>\n

Safety tips<\/p>\n

<\/strong>1. Store safely – <\/strong>Keep new and used button batteries out of sight and out of reach<\/strong> of small children. High shelves, locked cupboards \u2013 places your kids cannot get to. Even old or spent button batteries can retain enough charge to cause life-threatening injuries.<\/p>\n

2. Opt for button-battery free products – <\/strong>When choosing gifts, go button battery-free, if you can! This eliminates the risk. So many products (and Christmas gifts) have button batteries \u2013 watches, remotes, toys, torches, but there are alternatives.<\/p>\n

3. Check the compartments – <\/strong>Check that the product does not release the battery and it is difficult for a child to access. If the battery compartment does not close securely, stop using the product and keep it away from children.<\/p>\n

4. Dispose of properly – <\/strong>As soon as you have finished using a button battery, put sticky tape around both sides of the battery and dispose of it immediately in an outside bin<\/strong>, out of reach of children, or recycle safely.<\/p>\n

5. Know the symptoms of button battery ingestion – <\/strong>It takes two seconds for a child to find one on the floor, ingest it, and keep on playing. Many parents are not aware their children have swallowed a battery. Three-year-old Brittany went 8 days before it was discovered she swallowed a battery through an X-ray. <\/p>\n

This is why it\u2019s important to know the symptoms: gagging <\/strong>or choking, drooling, chest pain (grunting), coughing or noisy breathing, food refusal, black or red bowel motions, nose bleeds, spitting blood or blood-stained saliva, any unexplained vomiting, fever, abdominal pain or general discomfort.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you suspect a child has swallowed or inserted a button battery, you should ask for an X-Ray from a hospital emergency department to make sure. If you know they have swallowed a button battery, call 000 immediately. <\/p>\n

ADDITIONAL SAFETY TIPS DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON<\/strong><\/p>\n

Of course, button batteries are only one of the many hazards to watch out for at Christmas. Battery World<\/strong> has some great general battery safety tips<\/strong> for you to keep the kids safe at Christmas, especially around Christmas lights.<\/p>\n