AHS issues warning due to kids swallowing small batteries

By Medicine Hat News on March 3, 2021.

Alberta Health Services has issued a warning about the dangers of children swallowing small button-like batteries.

A number of recent cases in Calgary and Edmonton, which required the hospitalization of some children, has prompted the warning.

AHS says a child who has swallowed one of these batteries might have trouble breathing, wheezing and/or drooling, coughing and gagging when eating. There could also be trouble swallowing, chest pain, belly pain, nausea and/or vomiting, loss of appetite and fever.

AHS says if there are no initial symptoms an injury can still occur 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,” states an AHS press release.

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

Button batteries are often used to power small electronic devices such as watches, cameras, calculators, hearing aids and computer games. Because of their appearance and size, children can mistake them for food or candy and swallow them.

Preventing a child from ingesting batteries is the best way to avoid serious injury: Keep batteries locked away and out of the reach of children and ensure battery compartments on products cannot be easily opened. Buy household products with secure battery compartments that cannot be easily opened by children.

AHS says children using products with batteries should be supervised.

Look for loose batteries on floors, tables, counters and dispose of them safely.