Lithium batteries are used in almost every aspect of our modern lives, and in many ways make our everyday routines more convenient. As electronic devices get smaller, slimmer, and sleeker, there are so many more ways that lithium batteries are incorporated. From small calculators and mini remote controls to watches, flameless candles, key fobs, and musical greeting cards, lithium batteries can be found as a power source for many different kinds of devices. While this kind of battery and the ever-more common occurrence of different kinds of electrical devices can make our lives easier in certain ways, there are also increased risks that come with an increased instance of lithium batteries. If you have little children, one of the biggest risks you need to watch out for is making sure your electronic devices and batteries are in the right place. Read on to learn more about the dangers of lithium batteries to young children, and to learn more about some tips on how to make sure these batteries stay where they belong.
Lithium Batteries Can Be A Danger To Children
A child’s curiosity is a wonderful thing, and little kids love to explore every new thing they can get their hands on. When they’d find something new and interesting, what’s the first thing they do? Children love to put anything they find interesting in their mouths. When it comes to small electronic devices like your mini remote control or flameless candle, little kids love to pick them up, take them apart, and play with them, potentially exposing dangerous button batteries inside these devices.
Every single year in the United States, over 2,800 children are treated in emergency rooms after swallowing button batteries. That’s one child every three hours! The amount of severe injuries or deaths due to children swallowing or playing with button batteries has risen by an incredible nine times in the last decade alone. This is why it’s essential for parents and guardians to always keep an eye on their children and keep them away from small electronic devices. We know it’s impossible to always be with your child, so below are some tips to lower the risk of your child coming into contact with a lithium battery.
Tips To Keep Your Child Safe From Lithium Batteries
- Keep loose batteries locked away in a safe place, or put a piece of duct tape over any controllers with batteries to keep small kids away from accessing the battery.
- Keep coin lithium battery-controlled devices out of reach and out of sight of children. Devices like greeting cards that sing, watches, remote controls, digital scales, hearing aids, thermometers, calculators, certain toys, key fobs, or decorations all have button batteries.
- Immediately take your child to the hospital if you think they ingested a battery. Don’t try to induce vomiting yourself or have them drink or eat anything until a medical professional assesses them.
- Save the National Battery Ingestion Hotline (800-498-8666) into your phone right now
Contact Us Today
Button batteries can be a major hazard to small children, especially since they’re present in many aspects of modern life. Call Sunlife Pediatric Network to schedule an appointment for your child today.