Urgent warning issued about risks surrounding common household item
Families are being warned about potentially deadly batteries used in a range of common toys and household items.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) released a safety warning on Friday advising of the potentially fatal risks to children who might gain access to the flat button batteries.
Button batteries are used in a broad range of personal and household products such as toys and games, remote controls for appliances and electronics, garage door openers and key fobs, torches, kitchen scales, musical greeting cards, and other accessories.
“If swallowed, in addition to presenting a choking hazard, a button battery can get stuck in a child’s throat and cause a chemical reaction that burns through tissue causing catastrophic bleeding,” ACCC Assistant Treasurer Stuart Robert warned in the statement.
“Serious injury can occur in as little as two hours. Death or lifelong injury and impairment can result.
“These injuries can occur even if the battery that is swallowed is old or spent.”
What parents should look for when buying button batteries
Parents have been urged to only purchase button batteries that come in child resistant packaging, and to store them securely.
“If you are buying button battery-powered devices, look for ones where the battery compartment requires a tool or dual simultaneous movement to open,” the ACCC said.
It advised examining devices to make sure a child cannot gain access to the button batteries inside, and keep products with button batteries out of sight and out of reach of small children.
If you suspect a child has swallowed a button battery, contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 and you will be directed to the nearest hospital or emergency service that can manage the injury.
Do you have a story tip? Email: y7newsroom@yahoo7.com.au.
You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoo7’s daily newsletter. Sign up here.
