CPSC Joins International Effort to Prevent Button Battery-Related Injuries and Deaths

WASHINGTON, D.C. – During International Product Safety Week (June 16-20, 2014), a bi-annual meeting of government, industry and consumer organizations, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and counterparts from 12 other countries and jurisdictions team up to make button battery safety a global priority.

At a press event today in Brussels, Belgium, CPSC representatives and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) discussed dangers associated with coin-size batteries.

Larger button batteries, also known as coin cell batteries, are used in an increasing number of small electronics around the home, including keyless entry devices, scales and calculators. These and other small electronics frequently are left within a child’s reach. Incidents of young children and seniors unintentionally swallowing the batteries have resulted in thousands of reports of injuries worldwide.

The consequences of swallowing a coin size battery can be immediate and devastating. Fatal chemical burns from a coin cell battery lodged in the throat can occur in as little as two hours.

“We are pleased to participate in this international information and awareness effort on button battery safety,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Bob Adler. “Preventing battery-related incidents is a priority at CPSC. Today, our collective voices in this worldwide effort will make this a global priority.”

International Awareness Week – Participating Countries and Jurisdictions

CPSC reached out to battery manufacturers and is encouraged by recent efforts that have resulted in new safety warnings and packaging changes. CPSC is working with industry, public health officials and the global community to continue the progress of preventing coin cell battery-related incidents.

Parents and caregivers are urged to keep products containing these batteries away from children. CPSC recommends the following steps to prevent unintentional battery ingestion:

- Do not allow children to play with or be in contact with coin cell batteries.

- Caution hearing aid users to keep hearing aids and batteries out of the reach of children.

- Never put batteries in your mouth for any reason because they are easily swallowed accidentally.

- Always check medications before ingesting them. Adults have swallowed button batteries mistaking them for pills or tablets.

- Keep remotes and other electronics out of your child's reach if the battery compartments do not have a screw to secure them. Use tape to help secure the battery compartment.

- If a button battery is ingested, seek medical attention immediately. The National Battery Ingestion and Poison Help Hotlines are available 24 hours a day.

- Discard button batteries carefully.

Join the international button battery safety campaign online by using the hash tag: #worldbatterysafety.