File photo of the AHS Community Health building in Lethbridge (Lethbridge News Now)

By Justin Goulet

AHS issues warning following several cases of children swallowing button batteries

Mar 2, 2021 | 10:33 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Alberta Health Services (AHS) is sending out a warning to parents about button batteries.

AHS says there have been several recent cases of young children swallowing the small cell batteries in the Calgary and Edmonton health zones. In some instances, the children have been hospitalized.

Button batteries are often used to power small electronics like watches, cameras, calculators, hearing aids and computer games. Because of their appearance and size, small children might mistake them for food or candy and swallow them.

Some of the symptoms a child could have after swallowing a battery include:

• Trouble breathing
• Wheezing and/or drooling
• Coughing and gagging when easting
• Trouble swallowing
• Chest pain
• Belly pain
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Fever

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A child might not show any symptoms after a button battery is swallowed but AHS says an injury is still possible, even if the battery is dead or expired.

“If you think someone has swallowed a button battery, do NOT induce vomiting. Take them to an emergency department immediately,” stated a release from the AHS South Health Zone.

Serious injury can occur within two hours of a battery being swallowed, as it could get stuck in the airway and cause burning, corrosion or destroy the tissue in the upper digestive tract. Damage can happen quickly and is likely to be worse if the battery gets stuck in the esophagus, instead of moving into the stomach.

Preventing a child from ingesting batteries is the best way to avoid any serious injuries.

Tips from AHS include:

• Keep batteries locked up, out of reach and out of sight from children;
• Check that the battery compartments of household products are secure and do not open easily;
• Use the screws provided and tape to seal battery compartments shut;
• Buy household products with secure battery compartments that cannot be easily opened by children;
• Supervise children when they use products containing button batteries;
• Look for loose batteries on floors, tables, and counters around your home and dispose of them safely;
• Store or dispose of batteries in a secure place, so children cannot gain access to them;
• Cover both sides of the battery with tape before storing or disposing them.