This follows the tragic death of a 17 month old child from Motherwell who swallowed a small button cell battery. The family, and others whose child has died or suffered a serious injury, were not aware of the potential risks of the button or coin batteries.

Our Trading Standards service is supporting the Office for Product Safety and Standards’ awareness campaign which highlights the potential dangers of these batteries and provides advice for parents.

• Store button batteries out of children’s reach and be careful when opening multi-packs to avoid any falling on the floor and being picked up by children.
• Make sure the battery compartment on a gadget or toy is securely closed. Under product safety regulations, button and coin battery compartments on all consumer products must be designed to reduce the possibility of inadvertent removal by vulnerable people, such as children.
• Even ‘flat’ batteries hold enough charge to be dangerous. Store ‘flat’ batteries well out of reach of children.
• Talk to older children about the potential dangers, explaining why they shouldn’t play with button batteries or give them to younger children.
• If you think a child has swallowed a battery, take them immediately to A&E or call 999 for an ambulance. If possible, take the packaging, toy or gadget to help staff identify the battery.

“The tragic death of Hugh McMahon from Motherwell highlights the dangers of these small batteries being picked up and swallowed by children,” said Paul Bannister, Protective Services Manager.

“Many toys and gadgets contain button or coin cell types of battery, so it is vital that people follow the safety advice to ensure they are used safely, particularly by ensuring the battery compartment is closely securely and the batteries are safely and environmentally disposed of after use, for example at a council household waste recycling centre.”

Trading Standards has identified safety concerns about products on sale in the area: flameless tea lights and bathroom scales which did not have a secured battery compartment and the packaging did not have a warning that small cell batteries are a danger if ingested. An Orsen LCD writing table doodle board, on sale on Amazon, was supplied with a spare, loose coin cell battery in the packaging.

As a result of the service’s actions, the tea lights and doodle board have been recalled and information has been circulated to all councils to raise awareness and ensure stocks are no longer on sale. The manufacturer of the scales has been informed and asked to take action to address the issue.

In addition, two retailers have agreed to withdraw and review their in-store battery disposal units after the service identified they could be easily accessible by a child.

“Trading Standards regularly monitor products on sale in the UK to ensure they meet the stringent safety regulations in place,” Paul Bannister explains. “Any problems with products are highlighted to the Office for Product Safety and Standards which can order unsafe products to be recalled from sale to protect the safety of consumers.”

Earlier this month Smiggle issued a recall following concern the battery compartment of a watch slap band was not secure - WATCH_SLAPBAND_FUN_RECALL_UK_IRE_OL (smiggle.co.uk)

If anyone has concerns about the safety of a product they have purchased, they can report it to Trading Standards Service through Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or at www.consumeradvice.scot/

More information on button batteries is available from the Child Accident Prevention Trust at www.capt.org.uk/button-batteries-understanding-the-risks