Warning about button batteries in Christmas toys

A slice of ham burned by a button battery after just 15 minutes contact SUS-160612-101842001A slice of ham burned by a button battery after just 15 minutes contact SUS-160612-101842001
A slice of ham burned by a button battery after just 15 minutes contact SUS-160612-101842001
Parents and others buying children's Christmas toys in West Sussex are being urged to ensure any small '˜button' batteries are securely fixed in place.

Button batteries are used to power many children’s toys, but are highly dangerous if accidentally swallowed.

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Parents and carers are also warned not to leave replacement button cell batteries or other items powered by button cells within reach of young children.

Examples of such products are:

• calculators,

• hearing aids,

• children’s toys,

• small remote controls,

• musical greeting cards,

• animated Christmas decorations,

• children’s thermometers,

• flameless candles and nightlights.

Peter Aston, West Sussex County Council’s Trading Standards manager, said: “This is not scaremongering. As well as being a choking hazard, if a button battery is swallowed by a child, the electrical charge creates caustic soda inside the body.

“This can burn a hole through the throat and major blood vessels and children can bleed to death.”

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David Barling, the county council’s cabinet member for residents’ services, said: “We really urge parents and carers to ensure all products that use button batteries have the battery compartment properly secured so that a child can’t access them. It is not worth the risk.”

If you have bought a toy that allows easy access to button cell batteries you can let Trading Standards online at www.westsussex.gov.uk/tsreport or via Citizens Advice on 03454 040506.

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