To say teething toys should NOT contain batteries

[DomesticatedZombie]

Heartbreaking story in the news today of a child who died after swallowing a battery. (content warning, upsetting)

It seems that the battery may have come from a teething toy. I had no idea there were toys intended to be put into a baby/child's mouth that contained batteries - seems ludicrous to me. Surely this is unsafe?

Children are going to put everything in their mouths anyway, sure, but why on earth increase the risk?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-60306335

The article said it was a VTech toy, so I presume this one or something like it.

I agree with you, it does seem utterly ludicrous and incredibly dangerous to batteries in toys designed to be put in babies' mouths. I also agree with his poor parents that the batteries should be banned...at least in any product designed for children. They're just so dangerous!

The article said it was a vtech teething toy with button batteries. I googled and this sort of hippo toy came up - in fairness the only teething aspect is the feet, you can't physically fit the entire toy in your mouth or anything. And kids toys with batteries invariably have backs that screw on, so kids can't get to the batteries - I found a photo of the back of the toy and it looks like the same. So if a battery came out of it and caused this terrible injury, sadly it looks like they didn't screw the back down properly.

It's this toy: https://www.elc.co.uk/baby/comforters/VTech-Swing-and-Sing-Monkey/p/538845

It's not a teething toy, it's just got a teething section on it which isn't connected to the batteries in any way but we all know how dangerous button batteries are so yes, toy manufacturers need to stop using them.

Back of the toy. How is a battery coming out of there with two screws holding the compartment on?

I think I'm going to stop buying any toys with batteries in them (sorry DD2). It's not worth the risk.

That poor wee lad.

I’ve never bought my DC toys with batteries, it just isn’t worth the risk at all.

This is heartbreaking. I agree with you

How could a battery fall out of that unless the back wasn't on properly?

@fairylightsandwaxmelts

How could a battery fall out of that unless the back wasn't on properly?

I don't know - it gets stood on/broken?

I just don't think there are any benefits to having button batteries in baby toys, and the risks are clearly terrible.

When I was working on a paediatric surgical ward we had a child coming in about once a week having swallowed small batteries.

Every single time they were x-rayed and they were sent home to let it pass through.

I guess the difference is, these batteries were in transition where as this poor boy had one get stuck.

It's fucking horrifying.

I talk to parents every day about battery safety at work.

Terrifying, Tiffany. Thanks for raising awareness.

Horrific. I would absolutely sign a petition to ban them from children’s toys and clothing etc. Not worth the risk.