Warning: Button Batteries

[ronich1]

My husband and I have started a petition for button batteries. They can be very harmful to babies and children when swallowed resulting in either death or life-long health complications. We are trying to generate 10,000 signatures so would appreciate any support for this petition to raise awareness and hopefully encourage the government to act if not at least to discuss this problem. These batteries are in loads of items and easily accessible even to babies, we have first hand experience of this. Please ready further for a link to the petition and our story.

I would be very grateful if you would forward on, and help us in this campaign.

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/210086

Many thanks,
Rosie

Recently I was asked to be part of the Victoria Derbyshire show to help raise awareness about lithium batteries. These are small round batteries found in many items from bathroom scales, children’s toys, household appliances, torches, watches and the list goes on!
These can be lethal and have caused unnecessary deaths in children even within an hour of being ingested. If a child is ‘lucky’ to survive, they are at serious risk of life-long complications, including perforated oesophagus or bowels, resulting in feeding tubes and other serious health problems.
The battery produces a poison, which can have serious implications as well.
In other countries these batteries are classified as a poison and government regulated to have safety child safety fastening.
In the UK these batteries are unregulated, increasing the risk that children may suffer horrific consequences if not death. One hospital in London reports 2-3 cases a month. It is not a requirement for hospitals to report these cases.
Our daughter swallowed one of these batteries just before her first birthday. It was lodged in her oesophagus for about 5 weeks, and she was choking at almost every meal. We were very lucky, as the battery must have been old, and did not cause permanent damage. My husband and I decided to start this petition after my younger daughter came to me with two small button batteries in her hand, which she had found by easily pulling apart the light on her sister’s scooter. Thank goodness she didn’t swallow them!

Well, we don’t give our son anything which doesn’t have a screwed down battery compartment, but tbh I assumed that was just common sense, rather than a government issue?

Done.

Thank you for your support and signing.

In regards to Fenellamaxwellspony, I think the majority of people would agree with you, including us. As we discovered you don’t always know when these batteries are used in products and they are more dangerous than regular batteries. Children can die with in 1 hour of being swallowed. If you read the post you will understand. My daughters’ scooter light (intended for kids and assumed safe) contained these. my 1.5 year old the pulled the light apart. I did not give this to her as a play toy. The batteries are everywhere (remotes, scales, watches, pets toys etc) and no matter the measures you might take you can never be safe enough. Besides that is not the point, it is to make sure other parents don’t suffer unnecessary loss or serious injuries to their children. They are classified as a poison in other countries and yes regulation would help, even if it just to have a quantum coating.
Please do read up about it and the GOSH website has also launched a campaign.
I think parents who have suffered grievances from these batteries would be devastated to hear your simple solution.

I’m not saying it’s not an awful thing if your child swallows a battery, but it is something that can be mitigated against and as our government is on its knees at the moment perhaps an awareness drive so parents know to be vigilant would get you further than a government petition.

The point is these batteries are lethal so it is worth it even if it saves one child’s life!

Also, one hospital reports 3-4 admissions a month so this would have a direct impact on reducing the load on the NHS. So I’m sorry but you point is completely futile and irrelevant. If u don’t believe these batteries should have a coat then please talk to parents who have least children. This 🧥 by could save lives and child safe patches could have a direct impact on NHS resources.

I absolutely believe batteries are dangerous. Which is why I check very, very carefully about having anything with batteries in the house. I am not saying you are wrong to warn against them, just that I don’t think you will get a response at government level.

So far almost 300 people disagree with you so I don’t stand alone. Plus this is the entire purpose of the petition. I don’t know what purpose or point you are trying to make and if your child had died or was seriously harmed by one of these I don’t think it would be helpful for someone to tell you to be more diligent! It’s not about being diligent, accidents happens. But if a quantum coating was on the battery to save your child you would welcome that.
Additionally you obviously know it wouldn’t cost government anything since passing legislation is there job and doesn’t cost money. Whereas hospital admission do cost the taxpayer! But u obviously know that and just being awkward.

Signed op.

This is why there are people saying we live in. nanny state. We don't need the government to tell people to watch their kids so they don't get hold of batteries. It's the same with blind strings when yet another child is strangled by them. Common sense and watch your kids. If they are silent, they need checking on.

I’m afraid you don’t seem to have understood. This is not about the state telling you how to look after your child, but instead an important common sense step in accident prevention and the reduction of risk of devastating injury. No one is telling you how to look after your child. You are obviously completely unaware as to how common this problem actually is and how scary it can be! Please do tell all of those parents who have gone through this they are bad parents who don’t look after their children well enough. You better be careful about play dates and who’s house you go to, and who looks after your child. It’s hard to control every environment as well. Or just wrap them in bubble wrap. Additionally as said before this is the role of the government to write legislation. Should batteries not have quantum coating?! My childs’ oesophagus was damaged as well as her being poisoned because of manganese, quantum coating would have massively helped. Maybe you are quick to judge as well that I am a bad parent, but it doesn’t take long for this to have a very serious effect no matter how diligent you are. Your views are very unsympathetic and might be seriously upsetting especially for parents who have had more serious injuries from these. Is the life of one child not worth it?

Don’t know why you’re getting a hard time. It’s bizarre. Anything that can be done to help prevent illness/death is surely a good thing. I would say i’m Pretty vigilant, but have still come across button batteries in random places which would be easily accessible to a child/pet.

Signed.x

Thank you to everyone who is signing and forwarding on!! I am really trying to do this for every parent and all the support is so appreciated.

The articles about quantum coating are a few years old now. How has the technology moved on since then? Is it ready for mass production?

Other countries have quantum coating and not nearly the same problems we have. Also just because it’s a few years old doesn’t mean it’s not effective especially when coupled with child safety fastenings.

I wasn’t suggesting it wasn’t effective. When I googled it I couldn’t see anyone using it. Can you link to data showing other countries using quantum coating have fewer problems with swallowed batteries?

The GOSH campaign appears to be for parents to be better aware of the risks and take action rather than any change in legislation.

Signed .

www.gosh.nhs.uk/medical-information/button-batteries-using-them-safely

This is the Great Ormond Street Hospital campaign for anyone interested.

In my local pound store these batteries are at child height in the shelves alongside the queue in flimsy half-open cardboard packaging. Several packages had a battery missing, fallen out or taken out? The store is crowded and busy, of course you watch your child but would be easy to not notice whilst you were focusing on queuing (self service tills so you need to watch for a space).

i would like to see tighter legislation over how manufacturers have to package and secure these batteries.

We are very cautious with button batteries in our home but you can't control other people's houses and other places.

Thanks for all the supportive comments, and signing the petition. I have spoken to GOSH who are also trying to increase awareness and they are also supportive of the petition.

Hi all,

We don't allow petitions on the main talk boards - we're going to move this thread over to our petitions topic now.