AHS warns of the effects of button batteries if ingested. (Photo: Oasisamuel | Dreamstime.com)

By Sarah Jones

Alberta Health Services warns of button batteries injuring youth

Dec 15, 2022 | 9:49 AM

CALGARY, AB – Alberta Health Services (AHS) is warning parents about the danger of small batteries as reports of youth injuries surpass 150 this year.

As Christmas comes around the bend, the public health agency wants to remind the residents that toys with small batteries, better known as button batteries, can pose a serious health risk to children if swallowed.

Button batteries are used to power items like toys, hearing aids, calculators, cameras, flashing shoes and many other everyday items.

With its thin, round shape, kids can often mistake these batteries for food or candy.

From January to October 2022, AHS reports that hospitals saw 155 injuries in children related to batteries, none of which were in the South Zone.

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If a battery is swallowed, AHS says it can cause chemical burns and destroy the tissue in the upper digestive tract, and may even cause death.

Damage from the battery can be rapid and can even be worse if it becomes logged in the esophagus instead of moving into the stomach.

According to a media release from AHS, signs that a child may have ingested a button battery includes:

• Wheezing, drooling
• Coughing and gagging when eating
• Trouble swallowing
• Chest pain
• Belly pain
• Nausea, vomiting
• No appetite
• Fever

While the immediate reaction might be to get them to puke or throw up if they’ve swallowed one, AHS says to not do that and take them to the hospital immediately.

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