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!