If a lithium battery is swallowed, the energy reacts with saliva to create a substance like caustic soda. This can burn through the food pipe to the main artery and cause internal bleeding and, potentially, death. Two children in the UK have died as a result.  

Advice to parents on battery safety is provided by the Office for Product Safety and Standards:  

• 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.  

More information on button batteries is available from the Child Accident Prevention Trust.