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“The Battery Controlled” Aims to Save Children’s Lives by Raising Awareness of Growing Issue
ST. LOUIS/WASHINGTON, DC
Sept. 14 2011– Today, Safe Kids USA and Energizer announce a critical partnership to share life-saving information with parents and caregivers about the potential risks of swallowing coin lithium batteries. These coin-sized button batteries can lodge in the throats of children. The saliva immediately triggers an electrical current that causes a chemical reaction that can severely burn the esophagus in as little as two hours. In some cases, children have died from their injuries. The formation of “The Battery Controlled” by Safe Kids and Energizer shines a light on a growing issue and provides easy steps that parents and caregivers can take to prevent injuries and death to children.
Where the Risk Hides
Coin-sized button batteries, approximately the size of a nickel, are found in everyday devices such as:
• Mini remote control devices that unlock car doors and control MP3 speakers
• Calculators
• Bathroom scales
• Reading lights
• Flameless candles
• Talking and singing books and greeting cards
A Little-Known Threat
The threat is invisible, as these batteries are often inside compartments within electronic devices. However, because many of these devices are not children’s toys, the battery compartments are easy to open. Small children often have easy access to these devices and enjoy playing with them, and many parents do not know there is a risk. In fact, in a recent study by Energizer and Safe Kids USA, 66 percent of parents indicated they have not read, seen or heard anything about the risks of coin-sized button batteries and 58 percent of parents said their children seem to like electronic devices more than their own toys.
Serious Complications and Deaths Are Increasing
The number of cases where children have been seriously hurt or have died has more than quadrupled in the past five years (2006-2010) compared to the five years prior (2001-2005). In 2010 alone, there were more than 3,400 swallowing cases reported in the U.S., according to Dr. Toby Litovitz, of the National Capital Poison Center, who is an advisor to this effort. Most often, the batteries children swallow have come out of remote control devices.
“Parents and other caregivers often don’t realize that coin-sized button batteries are included in devices they buy,” said Meri-K Appy, president, Safe Kids USA. “Too often, these devices are left within reach of young children. Car keys with electronic fobs, for example, are often shared with children for their amusement. The batteries inside, if swallowed, can get stuck in a child’s throat and cause serious injury and even death.”
Even after the battery is removed from the throat, an electrical current can continue that can paralyze vocal chords or form an abnormal connection between the esophagus and trachea (wind pipe). Repairing that damage is painful and can require feeding tubes, breathing tubes and multiple surgeries.
Steps for Parents and Caregivers
• Examine devices and make sure the battery compartment is secure.
• Keep coin-sized button batteries and devices out of sight and out of reach.
• Go to the emergency room immediately if swallowing is suspected.
• Call the National Battery Ingestion Hotline at 202-625-3333 for additional treatment information.
• Tell others about this threat and share these steps.
Partnership Details
Through the partnership between Energizer and Safe Kids USA, life-saving information for parents, caregivers, local safety advocates and the medical community will be easily accessible. Tips for prevention and treatment will be distributed through Safe Kids USA’s network of 600 coalitions and chapters throughout theU.S.
“As demand grows for smaller, slimmer and sleeker electronic devices, the number of coin lithium batteries to power them grows as well,” said Stacey Harbour, director of marketing, Energizer. “We are partnering with Safe Kids USA to help spread the word to parents, grandparents, sitters and caregivers that children are at risk of opening these devices and swallowing the batteries inside. By keeping these batteries and devices away from children, this danger can be averted.”
What’s Next:
Energizer, working with the battery industry, has long supported the National Capital Poison Center’s research on issues related to battery ingestion as well as its efforts to guide parents and health professionals caring for children who have swallowed batteries. The company has also reached out to electronics designers and manufacturers to share information on the risks and ways that they can help address this problem. Energizer is developing new packaging for coin-sized button batteries that is harder to open for children and includes improved safety warnings.
Videos, tip sheets and more information can be found at www.thebatterycontrolled.com,www.facebook.com/thebatterycontrolled and
www.twitter.com/batterycontrol.
