Parents and guardians of young children are urged to be aware of the dangers of button batteries this festive season.

Button batteries are used in many household and consumer products, including children’s toys such as cars and games, flameless candles, reading lights and musical greeting cards.

Director of Public Health, Dr Mark Veitch, said button batteries can pose a severe injury risk, especially for young children who are more likely to place small objects in their mouth.

“If swallowed, button batteries can lodge in a child’s oesophagus and lead to very serious health outcomes, including death, so it’s very important to be aware of the risks and to prevent harm,” Dr Veitch said. 

“I’m urging Tasmanians to stay safe this Christmas, and make sure button batteries are out of reach of small children’s hands.”

It’s safest not to give young children toys that include button batteries. Tasmanians should look out for the batteries in gifts and toys manufactured before 2022, or imported from overseas, including remote controls, watches, computers, cameras, calculators and home medical devices. 

Products with button batteries sold in Australia from June 2022 must have secure battery compartments to prevent children accessing them and must be supplied in child-resistant packaging.

Any products with button batteries should be kept well out of reach of children, ideally in a child-resistant place. The best thing to do with old button batteries is to wrap them in clear sticky tape, store them in a glass jar out of reach of children, and take them to a battery recycling point.

A child who has swallowed a button battery without anyone knowing may develop symptoms including stomach or chest pain, breathing difficulties, drooling or problems swallowing, or vomiting blood or passing dark or bloody stools.