Page 3 | ‘I DO NOT want to see you at Christmas’

SelotapeChicken · 2025-12-17T06:12:29+00:00

Yes I got your attention. I’m not being unreasonable I could save your kids life. Also I am the op of the previous aibu post but I binned my account in a social media cleanse and then realised I needed to try and reshare tbe post. Finally I started a new thread because im afraid people will see 2024 and think ’zombie thread and disregard my post’ It’s Christmas I am a colorectal surgeon and we have had to perform 5 emergency operations in 2 weeks related to button batteries but this is so far from the normal, it is increasing exponentially If you suspect your child or elderly person with dementia or anyone with SEND and who has difficulty communicating has swallowed a button battery and I mean if you even notice the compartment on a battery operated toy or tea light is open and missing and you didn't see you child swallow it. GO IMMEDIATELY TO A&E! Button batteries and shiny, easy to grab for Toddler and easy to confuse for tablets for elderly patients If your child is over the age of 12 months old give 2 teaspoons of honey every 10 mins until you reach hospital. This is crucial and will coat the battery so it doesn't burn the oesophagus or intestines. Yes it's not ideal if the child needs surgery but there are emergency procedures we can do to minimise risk of aspiration and the risk of aspiration of honey is less than the risk posed of the battery. I can’t tell you to give honey to an under 12 month old baby because it’s against nhs guidelines but I would have no issue giving it to my child if I knew they’d eaten a button battery. In the US, all energiser branded button batteries are coated to taste bitter and covered in a safe dye that dyes the tongue and mouth blue. This is being rolled out the Uk slowly but surely. There are photos online portraying the damage that honey does to the battery on the slice of ham but it's not to be looked at because the whole point of the honey is to coat the battery and help it not stay too long in one place and move through the digestive tract. I will also add these absolutely horrific orbeez things to this thread but really they need banning from the world. If your nursery or child care provider uses them in sensory play, please tell them to stop or move child care providers (hard I know) but orbeez feel brilliant to children and when they have no taste so when they're exploring orally it's very very easy to eat them. And you can't see them on xray until they're a certain size and even then they look like built up gas in the bowel. Obviously if the child has ingested loads then they you see them. However if it's one or 2 they can be tiny when swallowed but they continue to expand and expand, they can case major bowel obstructions. Please do this. No orbeez and keep and eye out for button batteries (god why are they in so many toys??!) First photo is a button battery on ham for 30 Mins, second photos is an orbeez removed from A child and the 3rd shows you how many much they can expand from The original. Don't let it impact your life but just keep it at the forefront If this stops 1 more family from meeting me for surgery on their child then good!

Original poster

SelotapeChicken · 18/12/2025 11:02

LadyBlakeneysHanky · 18/12/2025 10:38

If you did this, though, would you just be told to take your place at the back of the queue & wait to be called?
I guess I am wondering if the A&E counter staff (who in my local hospital, at least, I am not sure are medically trained) would actually see this as an emergency.

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Well in my A&E we solely care for children and we do have certain words that reception are trained to focus on. Battery ingestion being the main 2! That would get you to be the next in the triage room where I work because we need an x ray immediately as we find that fairly regularly kids can swallow 2 of them and one can be in the stomach and quite often another one can be sitting just above the sphincter to the oesophagus and that’s not as protected so is more of a risk.

From attending A&E and having it removed should be less than 2 hours. Also if you call an ambulance they will go on blue lights and you will go into resus, they will also call us to ed so we can start assessment immediately. They will also call the hospital on the way over so we can get all the team down and ready

OP posts:

LadyBlakeneysHanky · 18/12/2025 10:38

SelotapeChicken · 18/12/2025 01:38

Yes absolutely this. Go straight to the counter and tell them you need to be triaged immediately because you suspect a battery has been swallowed. Don’t sit in the waiting room to be call forward

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If you did this, though, would you just be told to take your place at the back of the queue & wait to be called?
I guess I am wondering if the A&E counter staff (who in my local hospital, at least, I am not sure are medically trained) would actually see this as an emergency.

ErrolTheDragon · 18/12/2025 10:34

SelotapeChicken · 18/12/2025 10:28

Yes, the really small ones in hearing aids are really commonly swallowed. I couldn’t work
out how until a pp said they worked with elderly people who use hearing aids and take the batteries out at night to save power. Add in dementia or just fumbling for your meds in the morning without glasses on and you’ve swallowed them.

Expired ones are still dangerous

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Omg. And I suppose they have to be easy enough to change for people with eg arthritic hands and impaired vision so there are conflicting design criteria.
hopefully increasingly small devices will become rechargeable.

Original poster

SelotapeChicken · 18/12/2025 10:32

Wrestlingwrigglybaby · 18/12/2025 09:42

Thanks for the prompt OP, definitely will try to be more aware for our 2 year old. Interested on your thoughts about medical devices that use them. Our toddler is T1 diabetic and his (hospital issued) glucose and ketone devices both use them. So we have no choice but to keep them, and spare button batteries, close to him at all times, obviously under supervision or out of reach as also contains needles and insulin. I don't believe they are secure backs with screws either. Has anything been fed back to manufacturers about the dangers of this to reconsider their power methods?

And also regarding the honey, for diabetic kids I'm assuming the benefits to protect the battery would outweigh the risks of DKA from consuming the sugar (whilst obviously trying to control with insulin)? We are still in the first few months since diagnosis so getting used to everything but honey (and anything liquid sugar) is not recommended for now.

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I think this is a complicated one isn’t it? In my head it would be about a million x easier to deal with a dka in a child than a hole in their bowel because I wouldnt even know how having a stoma would impact on keeping sugars stable in the future? (It happens very often that we need to place a stoma temporarily to rest the bowel that is damaged and it can be reversed later down the line). However I’m a surgeon and things are very black and white for me. I’m sure an endocrinologist would have a few things to say!!

Im shocked that both of his equipments take button batteries. That is something that needs to be addressed I feel

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Original poster

SelotapeChicken · 18/12/2025 10:28

lcakethereforeIam · 18/12/2025 09:35

I've got them in kitchen scales (about 10p sized). They really piss me off, they always expire when I'm in the middle of baking something. I try to keep a small supply (they're expensive) jic, but I usually find my fella has nicked 'em for his keyfob. Also the teeny weeny ones in some Christmas decorations that have expired but I've left to keep them weighted down.

I'm assuming even expired batteries can be dangerous?

It would be a start getting them removed from children's toys but that wouldn't apply to any of the stuff in my house that's got them.

Regarding them being in hearing aids, have people with dementia been known to accidentally swallow them?

Yes, the really small ones in hearing aids are really commonly swallowed. I couldn’t work
out how until a pp said they worked with elderly people who use hearing aids and take the batteries out at night to save power. Add in dementia or just fumbling for your meds in the morning without glasses on and you’ve swallowed them.

Expired ones are still dangerous

OP posts:

SiberFox · 18/12/2025 10:05

Thank you OP

Whoopsmahoot · 18/12/2025 09:46

Thank you, interesting. Never knew about honey.

Wrestlingwrigglybaby · 18/12/2025 09:42

SelotapeChicken · 18/12/2025 01:52

Most toys from TikTok shop, nearly all bath toys. Lots of small cheap light up things. If you’re not likely to replace the battery when it dies then maybe glue to compartment shut? The issue with button batteries in toys is they are usually used because they are cheaper than other ones and come with them already installed, but because the toy is cheaper than others they’re not particularly well made so the batteries fall out.

As a fun little thing I actually have a list of things the batteries that we have removed from people’s bodies over the last 2 years. I just put it in my notes app on my phone because I’m weird and I want to do more research about pressuring the government to crack down on standards. So over the last 2 years the offending items were;

cheap TikTok shop toys
gaming headphones and head sets that light up
light up toys and things bought at events
tea lights
night lights
light up children’s Christmas jumpers
car keys
key finder tool
keyring light
musical cards
musical / talking book
Digital scales
thermometer
hearing aids
toys won at arcade and then dropped.

I don’t have figures on how many of each but I do know that as a hospital we have carried out approx 200 operations over the last 2 years to remove batteries and magnets from bodies.

As you can see I’m so weird when it comes to this but actually it’s super interesting and we managed to get the CE tag and fire safety standards increased in the uk so why can we ask for better standards for our children’s toys and also in things that vulnerable people have access to?

Show quote history

Thanks for the prompt OP, definitely will try to be more aware for our 2 year old. Interested on your thoughts about medical devices that use them. Our toddler is T1 diabetic and his (hospital issued) glucose and ketone devices both use them. So we have no choice but to keep them, and spare button batteries, close to him at all times, obviously under supervision or out of reach as also contains needles and insulin. I don't believe they are secure backs with screws either. Has anything been fed back to manufacturers about the dangers of this to reconsider their power methods?

And also regarding the honey, for diabetic kids I'm assuming the benefits to protect the battery would outweigh the risks of DKA from consuming the sugar (whilst obviously trying to control with insulin)? We are still in the first few months since diagnosis so getting used to everything but honey (and anything liquid sugar) is not recommended for now.

MinnieCauldwell · 18/12/2025 09:42

Adverts for alcohol, gambling and laundry pods come with warnings. So why not on any ad for a toy or anything with these things in? Plus warnings on packaging, they managed that ok with cigarettes.

lcakethereforeIam · 18/12/2025 09:35

I've got them in kitchen scales (about 10p sized). They really piss me off, they always expire when I'm in the middle of baking something. I try to keep a small supply (they're expensive) jic, but I usually find my fella has nicked 'em for his keyfob. Also the teeny weeny ones in some Christmas decorations that have expired but I've left to keep them weighted down.

I'm assuming even expired batteries can be dangerous?

It would be a start getting them removed from children's toys but that wouldn't apply to any of the stuff in my house that's got them.

Regarding them being in hearing aids, have people with dementia been known to accidentally swallow them?

ErrolTheDragon · 18/12/2025 08:57

It’s an interesting list of products.

broadly I guess there are 3 categories:

totally unnecessary tat.

items which could perfectly well use larger batteries instead (eg scales)

items with a serious use where small size and/or weight is a legitimate design factor. In those cases IME the battery compartments are usually quite secure (no one wants their car key falling apart!) - so I suppose it’s mainly education about appropriate disposal which is the issue there?

Original poster

SelotapeChicken · 18/12/2025 08:47

TessoftheDobermans · 18/12/2025 08:12

Thank you for this thread @SelotapeChicken I was aware of the dangers to babies & toddlers but didn't know about using honey. That's great advice, I won't forget that. I didn't know there was a problem with elderly/vulnerable people confusing them with tablets, too.

My MP is a doctor and so I emailed them yesterday asking them to look at this issue and to push for legislation re the application of treatments to the batteries as you mentioned yesterday. That looks like a pretty straightforward thing for the Government to do, at little cost to them, which could make a significant difference. I haven't heard anything back yet but I'm hoping they might pick it up and run with it.

You said that your hospital has carried out approx 200 operations over the last 2 years to remove batteries and magnets from bodies. That's an awful lot of people needing potentially life-changing surgery. Are you in a big city-centre hospital, or would that be a typical number across most towns? Do you have figures for the whole country?

Thank you so much for the work you do.

Yes we are a very large children’s hospital that takes a lot of referrals from other hospitals that can’t do complex surgery. I don’t have any figures for the rest of the country but I am interested to see if I can find out

OP posts:

TessoftheDobermans · 18/12/2025 08:12

Thank you for this thread @SelotapeChicken I was aware of the dangers to babies & toddlers but didn't know about using honey. That's great advice, I won't forget that. I didn't know there was a problem with elderly/vulnerable people confusing them with tablets, too.

My MP is a doctor and so I emailed them yesterday asking them to look at this issue and to push for legislation re the application of treatments to the batteries as you mentioned yesterday. That looks like a pretty straightforward thing for the Government to do, at little cost to them, which could make a significant difference. I haven't heard anything back yet but I'm hoping they might pick it up and run with it.

You said that your hospital has carried out approx 200 operations over the last 2 years to remove batteries and magnets from bodies. That's an awful lot of people needing potentially life-changing surgery. Are you in a big city-centre hospital, or would that be a typical number across most towns? Do you have figures for the whole country?

Thank you so much for the work you do.

Original poster

SelotapeChicken · 18/12/2025 07:29

Shameless bump for the morning crowd

OP posts:

Sunbeam01 · 18/12/2025 04:07

Thank you OP.

Bump.

Original poster

SelotapeChicken · 18/12/2025 02:06

FrodoBiggins · 18/12/2025 02:00

@SelotapeChicken I love your list and thanks for everything you're doing, you're brilliant.

🤣can you tell I’m on call?

OP posts:

FrodoBiggins · 18/12/2025 02:00

@SelotapeChicken I love your list and thanks for everything you're doing, you're brilliant.

Original poster

SelotapeChicken · 18/12/2025 01:52

Newsenmum · 17/12/2025 07:44

Thank you. Does anyone know of any popular children’s items that have them?

Most toys from TikTok shop, nearly all bath toys. Lots of small cheap light up things. If you’re not likely to replace the battery when it dies then maybe glue to compartment shut? The issue with button batteries in toys is they are usually used because they are cheaper than other ones and come with them already installed, but because the toy is cheaper than others they’re not particularly well made so the batteries fall out.

As a fun little thing I actually have a list of things the batteries that we have removed from people’s bodies over the last 2 years. I just put it in my notes app on my phone because I’m weird and I want to do more research about pressuring the government to crack down on standards. So over the last 2 years the offending items were;

cheap TikTok shop toys
gaming headphones and head sets that light up
light up toys and things bought at events
tea lights
night lights
light up children’s Christmas jumpers
car keys
key finder tool
keyring light
musical cards
musical / talking book
Digital scales
thermometer
hearing aids
toys won at arcade and then dropped.

I don’t have figures on how many of each but I do know that as a hospital we have carried out approx 200 operations over the last 2 years to remove batteries and magnets from bodies.

As you can see I’m so weird when it comes to this but actually it’s super interesting and we managed to get the CE tag and fire safety standards increased in the uk so why can we ask for better standards for our children’s toys and also in things that vulnerable people have access to?

OP posts:

Original poster

SelotapeChicken · 18/12/2025 01:39

Ihavelostthegame · 18/12/2025 01:20

Thanks for the reminder @SelotapeChickenim both a carer and run a dementia activity service and will add reminders about battery safety into our Christmas newsletter tonight.
It has long been a bugbear of mine that hearing aids use button batteries. A huge number of people remove the batteries every night to turn the hearing aid off and to save the battery. They then inevitably fall out. There is no reason they should have removable batteries in this day and age.

I really had never considered that people would take batteries out to save the charge !

OP posts:

Original poster

SelotapeChicken · 18/12/2025 01:38

Princessdebthe1st · 17/12/2025 07:55

One other thing, if you think your child /vulnerable person has swallowed one of the batteries, as the OP said time is of the essence. Go straight to A&E but don't wait in a long queue to be triaged. Go to the front and tell them you think they have swallowed a button battery and it is a time critical emergency.

Yes absolutely this. Go straight to the counter and tell them you need to be triaged immediately because you suspect a battery has been swallowed. Don’t sit in the waiting room to be call forward

OP posts:

Ihavelostthegame · 18/12/2025 01:20

Thanks for the reminder @SelotapeChickenim both a carer and run a dementia activity service and will add reminders about battery safety into our Christmas newsletter tonight.
It has long been a bugbear of mine that hearing aids use button batteries. A huge number of people remove the batteries every night to turn the hearing aid off and to save the battery. They then inevitably fall out. There is no reason they should have removable batteries in this day and age.

Originalbutter · 18/12/2025 00:52

Thanks op!

Original poster

SelotapeChicken · 17/12/2025 23:27

Slowdownyouredoingfine · 17/12/2025 23:18

I have bought my 2 eldest children clip on book lights for Christmas, they have these button batteries. I also have a 4 year old. I’m binning the lights. It’s just not worth the risk. Thank you OP.

Oh that’s such a shame! Why are they in everything?? We got my Niece and Nephews these for Christmas last year because they run off a triple A battery instead! I’m not advertising anything I just refuse to buy anything with a button battery

https://www.ifplc.com/products/the-really-compact-travel-book-light/

The Really Compact Travel Book Light | LED Reading Light | IF

Slip in your travel bag for reading when the sun goes down

https://www.ifplc.com/products/the-really-compact-travel-book-light/

OP posts:

Original poster

SelotapeChicken · 17/12/2025 23:23

Kidsaregrim · 17/12/2025 21:11

I’m a health visitor and we talk about button batteries (and other things) at our 6-8 week discharge but I did not know about the honey! Thanks for this!

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That’s crazy! I’m glad to be of service! I’m only saying it’s crazy because I know that we send reports to health visitors after a child visits A&E and we’re actually starting to do more preventative measures with them like having them tell parents what to do if a child has ingested a battery. The head of health visiting in my area is so into this side of things we got permission to use the video from an operation (all endoscopic operations are recorded anyway and we also have a camera in the operating lights so we can have other surgeons from other hospitals basically advising on a call seeing live images from surgery but that’s a tangent)!

So the parents were absolutely brilliant and their child is doing fantastically and I still see them in clinic but the images from their operation plus scans and stuff were so so clear that we use them as an educational aid for health visitors and I think adult A&E in other hospitals as well obviously all our A&E staff (paeds hospital) on training days, as a way to help the staff to understand what to do if a parent attends A&E with a potential ingestion and also to help demonstrate how important you guys are in a preventative way. If you guys can instil the message that batteries have no place near children then I’ll never see them and I can sleep easier !

Thank you for the work you do

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Slowdownyouredoingfine · 17/12/2025 23:18

I have bought my 2 eldest children clip on book lights for Christmas, they have these button batteries. I also have a 4 year old. I’m binning the lights. It’s just not worth the risk. Thank you OP.