In Australia, an estimated four children per week present to an emergency department with an injury related to a button battery.
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The Hon. Heidi Victoria, Minister for Consumer Affairs, with Pranav Chand at the button battery safety launch at the Monash Children’s Hospital. |
As part of the International Awareness Week on Button Battery Safety, Erica Edmands, President of Kidsafe Victoria, highlighted the severe and little known risk these batteries pose for children. Ms Edmands advised that button batteries are often ‘invisible’ to adults as many devices come with the batteries already installed.
“To small children, a button battery could look like a silver lolly, however if they are ingested, they can lead to deadly consequences,” said Ms Edmands.
“We are urging parents to conduct a button battery audit in their home and car to ensure all used button batteries are disposed of safely.”
Earlier today, Ms Edmands joined the Minister for Consumer Affairs, The Hon Heidi Victoria and Dr Adam West at Monash Children’s Hospital with a powerful ham demonstration showing just how quickly the batteries can erode through tissue.
Button batteries can be found in everyday devices, including:
For more information regarding the dangers posed by button batteries, please visit Kidsafe Victoria’s Facebook page and website at www.kidsafevic.com.au/home-safety/button-batteries.
Kidsafe’s top tips for keeping children safe around batteries:
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