Gone are the days of the clunky “D”-cell batteries. Today’s slim and hyper-compact technology has slim and hyper-compact batteries to go with it, and the tiny batteries that
were once seen in cameras, calculators, and hearing aids are showing up everywhere. Variously called “coin batteries”, “button batteries”, or “watch batteries”, they hold much more power in a smaller space than their predecessors but their new technology has also brought new dangers. Before we get into the details, please try this true/false quiz to gauge your knowledge of button battery dangers. 
(Answers are at the end of the article).
#1- I should not worry if my child swallows a button battery because they are similar in size and shape to a coin, and will likely pass through the intestines like a coin.
#2- I do not need to be concerned with my children gaining access, because the battery compartments on my kid’s toys are secured with a screw.
#3- I am careful not to leave small items like individual button batteries where my child can reach them, so this will not be an issue for my family.
#4- My mom wears a hearing aid with a button battery but she should not worry because this is a child-related hazard.
#5- If I suspect that my child has swallowed a button battery, the first thing I should do is seek immediate medical attention.
#6- I should be concerned about other batteries sizes too.
As you can tell from the quiz the dangers of button batteries involve swallowing, but it’s not the traditional choking hazard that causes the problem. These new battery designs use thinner walls than the older designs, and the metal is vulnerable to stomach acids. Also, the smaller batteries are more likely to “stick” in the digestive tract, increasing the exposure to the digestive juices. These facts combined mean a battery casing can rupture and release acid into the body, and the resulting burns can injure or kill.
Consumer Reports has put together a video explaining the problems with button batteries. 
The video shows the types of products using these batteries and what you should be on the lookout for. (For instance, toys have rules for the closure and protection of batteries, but those musical greeting cards don’t. Kids can EASILY get the batteries out of these cards). They also show the type of burns that these batteries can cause, using pieces of ham in a petri dish as a stand-in for a kid.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has released guidelines to deal with the hazards of button batteries…
• Discard button batteries carefully.
• Do not allow children to play with button batteries, and keep button batteries out of your child’s reach.
• Caution hearing aid users to keep hearing aids and batteries out of the reach of children.
• Never put button batteries in your mouth for any reason as they are easily swallowed accidentally.
• Always check medications before ingesting them. Adults have swallowed button batteries mistaken for pills or tablets.
• Keep remotes and other electronics out of your child’s reach if the battery compartments do not have a screw to secure them. Use tape to help secure the battery compartment.
• If a button battery is ingested, immediately seek medical attention. The National Battery Ingestion Hotline is available anytime at (202) 625-3333 (call collect if necessary), or call your poison center at (800) 222-1222.
Quiz Answers
Question 1- False
In some instances a button battery will pass. However, the button battery could become stuck or lodged in the throat. When this happens, the battery can cause chemical burns in as little as two hours. If you suspect that your child has swallowed a button battery, immediately seek medical attention. Immediately call the 24-hour National Battery Ingestion Hotline at 202-625-3333 or your poison center at 1-800-222-1222.
Question 2- False
It is true that the battery compartments on children’s toys are secured with a screw, but adults must ensure that they are secured properly. Adults also should be aware that other non-child related items that are commonly left within a child’s reach do not have screw-secured backs.
Some items with button batteries that are commonly left within a child’s reach include: remote controls; bathroom scales; musical greeting cards, light-up watches, pens and jewelry, and video games
Question 3- False
While that is a great first step in protecting your children from this hazard, it is not the only concern. A recent study found that in more than 60 percent of the incidents involving children, the child was able to access the battery directly from the product. Children’s toys and products are required to have screw locked battery compartments to prevent access. However, other products such as remote controls, game controls, and light-up pens and watches do not have to meet those same requirements. These products should be kept out of reach from children.
Question 4- False
Adult consumers, particularly seniors, also have unintentionally swallowed button batteries. In these instances, the battery often was mistaken for a pill.
Question 5- True
If a button battery is swallowed, contact your local poison control center or your physician immediately. It is important to determine the type of cell that has been ingested and the location of the cell. Most ingested batteries will pass through the intestines without any difficulty. If symptoms indicate that a battery is lodged in the throat, complications are more likely and immediate removal is usually necessary. Immediately call your physician, the 24-hour National Battery Ingestion Hotline at 202-625-3333 or your poison center at 1-800-222-1222.
Question 6- True
Other sizes, such as AAA batteries, are also an ingestion hazard and should be kept out of reach of young children.
