This 18 month child died because of a button battery – Please spend 5 minutes learning about the risks and how to prevent the same happening to your loved ones

WARNING: THIS POST DISCUSSES CHILD DEATH

In honour of Reese Elizabeth Hamsmith (the 18-month-year-old child that died from swallowing a TV controller battery) please take 5 minutes to read and act on this, it might not save you money immediately but it may prevent a cost far greater if otherwise ignored.

Button Batteries can be found in:

– Remote Controls (TV, Window Blinds,
– Car Key Fobs
– Blood Glucose Machines
– Key Finders
– Thermometers
– Calculators
– Musical Birthday Cards etc
– Small flashlights / torches / head torches
– Fake Candles
– Kitchen Scales
– Hearing Aids
– Light-up sneakers

What happens if ingested?

…if swallowed, they could badly injure or kill a child. Button batteries react with saliva to create caustic soda, which is the chemical often used to unblock drains. If a child swallows a button battery and it gets stuck in their food pipe (oesophagus), it can burn a hole and cause internal bleeding, or even death. If a button battery gets into the stomach, it can also cause significant tissue damage.

Larger lithium ‘coin cell’ batteries (about the size of a five pence piece) are the most dangerous. Smaller batteries can be inserted into places such as ears and noses, causing serious injuries for children if undetected.¹

Things you can do to minimise the risk:

• Secure and tape shut the battery compartments of all electronic items AND/OR buy covers (e.g. TV remotes you can buy silicone covers for them which makes them harder to open)
• Keep remotes and other electronics out of your child’s reach if the battery compartments do not have a screw to secure them.
• Safely dispose of button and lithium coin batteries, wrap them in tape and recycle or put them in an outside bin.
• If you suspect your child has ingested a button battery, take them immediately to A&E or dial 999.
• Check your home periodically for new devices or potential risks.
• Educate older children about button batteries – Communicate with older children about the dangers of button batteries including why they should not play with them or give them to younger children.
• Understand that most batteries these days (at least in the UK) have a special film that makes them taste horrid
• Push companies that produce these devices to make changes (as per this best practice guide from UK Government)
• Learn more on the UK Government website

@reesespurpose

love you baby girl. #infantlossawareness #reeseslaw #rememberingreese #buttonbatteryawareness

♬ son original – Tik Toker

Learn about the incredible work Reese’s Purpose has done in the USA.

Note: Any income generated from this page (e.g. ads) will be donated to charity.

1. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-button-battery-safety-campaign