Button batteries in toys

[CoffeeAndChoccies]

Am I being over cautious/over reacting? I’ve always been aware of the dangers of button batteries and have avoided anything that uses them, including toys, since we had DS. DS is 3.5yrs now and for the past month or so has had his eye on this huge Paw Patrol toy in our local supermarket. He’s massively in his Paw Patrol phase but despite that he hasn’t really got any toys relating to it. This toy he saw was well over £50 so obviously we’ve never got it for him. However, every time we go to the shop he makes a bee line for it (one time tried to put it in the trolley!).

I went to the supermarket alone last night and as I walked in there was a huge section full of discounted toys. The Paw Patrol toy was there with £25 off. I called DH and said should I get it and we can put it away for Christmas? DH was up for it, especially as we know DS will be over the moon with it. As I was taking it to the checkout I looked at the box again and noticed it takes button batteries. I ended up not buying it because, as a rule, I’ve never bought anything with button batteries. I did feel so sad though as DS would love the toy and he is a bit older now, so I’m wondering at what point (if ever) these would be ok?

DH thinks I should go back and get the toy and as long as the batteries are screwed in with a screwdriver securely, we don’t keep any spares in the house (buy as we need them) and if there’s any doubt over them being secured we just don’t put batteries in the toy, it’ll be ok. Is that ok? He also thinks that at 3.5 DS is less likely to put anything in his mouth.

What would you do? I’m quite conflicted over it all and wondering if I’m being too over protective. I guess this applies to all toys with these batteries and not just this specific toy our DS wants.

I’d buy the toy. I find battery covers are really secure and there’s no chance of coming open without a screwdriver. You could tape over the battery cover too for extra safety. Use colour coordinating electrical tape.

Well it'll be screwed in won't it

So I think it's a bit silly not to get it

Thank you! This is what I was leaning towards after talking to DH but I wasn’t sure if my wish for DS to have the toy he’d love was clouding my judgement! DS is pretty on the ball when it comes to his toys and batteries and I do think he understands what they are. He has a fair few AAA battery operated trains for his set that he leaves turned on a lot, and always tells us when they’re running low and has even shown visitors the high cupboard where we keep them so they can replace them for him (he can’t reach/access them)!

Yes, IMO you are being over the top. As long as the toy is screwed up again safety, it's absolutely fine

Equally, your restrictions on even keeping button batteries in the house, that you won't have a spare etc, is baffling IMO. No, don't leave them lying around, but if you put them in the high cupboard you mentioned, that's perfectly sufficient. Yes they are a risk if they get into a toddlers hands, but so are about 20 other things you have in your house. Knives, scissors, cleaning products, a piece of string, tools, water. Take sensible precautions but you cannot eliminate every risk.

The cover will be screwed on, you are being OTT

You’re being way over the top!

if you are really worried about it - just have it as a toy that is only played with under your supervision, and not just left around. Keep it somewhere he can see but out of reach, so he has to ask to have it etc. And then put it back when he is done with it.

The reason for the screw covers is so they can't get to them.

They also come in childproof packaging and now have a bitter coating to stop children trying to eat them

Get it. Sellotape over the cover (and the speakers) if worried. Keep batteries in high cupboard. Done.

They’re safe when they’re screwed in. That’s why they do it. He won’t be able to change them himself. Keep the button battery packet safe and out of reach. Change them yourself and dispose of the used one right away.

Also things with these little batteries aren’t usually like the heavy use of aa batteries in toy trains, where they have to be replaced every other day and get left on all the time. They are usually just to make a beeping noise or a flashing light. So they last a while.

It’s completely safe with the batteries behind a screw compartment - everything else is up to you to keep safe in the same way you keep medication, cleaning fluids safe.

Agree with pp, as long as the battery cover screws on then fine. And spares just need to go up high and out of sight, same as you would with paracetamol etc.

DC1 was given temporary hearing aids for glue ear age 2, he spent 6 months wandering around with a button battery on each side of his head! They didn't screw in either...

Thanks all! I will get him the toy. It’s the first one I’ve come across with button batteries and while we avoided them when he was younger he’s older now, and as you say they screw in etc.

If he’s never seen it make noise then don’t put batteries in it at all. But they’re screwed in anyway. My son would be very sad without all his motorised trains that have button batteries. They’re well screwed in.

Your DH is right. Toy manufacturers selling to the UK/EU market have to follow very strict safety guidelines and all batteries tend to be behind a screwed closed compartment, but particularly button batteries are hard for children to access accidentally. We don't keep spares in the house - they all have their own specific number so it's easier to buy the specific one needed in the right quantity - and if we did ever end up with leftover batteries, we keep them high up with the medicines so they can't be accessed. DS3 is very much one for putting things in his mouth and we have never had a battery incident.

The things you need to be careful of IME are items which have bypassed the strict safety regulations of the EU/UK e.g. when people have bought party bag filling kits from Amazon without realising that they have come as direct imports. So keep an eye on anything like that and be prepared to move it out of your child's reach and/or remove the batteries ASAP once the novelty has worn off - but any toy which does meet proper safety standards is fine.

We are cautious about batteries but have never not bought a toy because of batteries. We have loads of batteries in the house and never has my 5 yo come across an unattended battery.
Ensure all backs are always secure. Keep batteries in a safe place. We have a clip lock lunch box of batteries that are kept in the study mostly so we know where to find them but it also keeps the out of the reach of the children. Used batteries are taken for disposal.

Wow OP, massive over reaction. Think of all the toys that use cells, they are all screwed in tightly Can't believe this is stopping you getting a toy your ds woukd love.