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Kids Health Info

Button battery safety

  • Key points to remember

    • Button batteries are powerful coin-shaped batteries used in many household items.
    • Children like button batteries because they are small and shiny, like toys.
    • A button battery can burn a child’s oesophagus (swallowing tube) in just two hours, causing internal injuries, life-threatening bleeding or death.
    • Button batteries are as dangerous as poisons and must be kept away from children.
    • Swallowing button batteries can cause symptoms similar to common childhood illnesses, such as noisy breathing, chest pain, drooling, and problems swallowing. Some children may vomit blood or pass dark poo.
    • If you are worried your child has swallowed a button battery, call an ambulance (000) immediately or go straight to your nearest hospital emergency department. Do not wait for symptoms before getting medical help.

    Button batteries are powerful, coin-sized batteries used in many toys and household products such as keys, remote controls, calculators, musical greeting cards, watches and kitchen scales.

    Swallowing button batteries is extremely dangerous. When the battery touches saliva, it creates an electrical circuit that starts a chemical reaction wherever the battery is stuck. In just two hours, this reaction can harm the oesophagus (swallowing tube) and airway (breathing tube), causing serious injury or death.

    If you think your child has swallowed a button battery, call an ambulance (000) immediately or go straight to your nearest hospital emergency department. Do not delay.

    Main causes of button battery injuries

    Babies and toddlers tend to put things in their mouths, and they like button batteries because they are small and shiny, like toys.

    You may not even know an item has a button battery if it comes pre-installed.

    Children have easy access to many items that need button batteries, like toys, calculators and musical greeting cards. The biggest risk is if the item has a battery cover that a child can easily remove.

    I think my child has swallowed a button battery. What do I do?

    If you think your child has swallowed a button battery, call an ambulance (000) immediately or go straight to your nearest hospital emergency department. Do not wait for symptoms before getting help.

    Button battery injuries can be catastrophic unless they are treated straight away. However, your child may not seem sick at first – even if they have serious internal injuries. Swallowing button batteries can cause symptoms similar to common childhood illnesses.

    If your child has swallowed a button battery, they may:

    • have chest pain
    • breathe loudly
    • drool or find it hard to swallow
    • vomit blood or pass dark and foul-smelling poo

    How to stop button battery injuries

    Never let your child play with button batteries. When swallowed, button batteries can be as dangerous as poisons, and just like poisons, they must be stored away from curious children.

    To stop children from swallowing button batteries:

    • Keep household items you know or think may have button batteries out of reach.
    • Do not let your child play with things you know have button batteries like car keys and remote controls.
    • Check toys in your home with button batteries and make sure the battery covers are secure, such as closed with screws.
    • Throw out any toys that do not have secure battery covers.
    • Do not buy toys that need button batteries.
    • Keep spare batteries locked away from children.

    Throwing out button batteries

    It is best to take used or discarded button batteries to a recycling collection point, rather than throwing them into a rubbish bin. This way, your child cannot accidentally find a button battery in the bin.

    You can recycle batteries at:

    • Your local council (council websites often list disposal points)
    • Bunnings
    • BatteryWorld
    • Some supermarkets

    If you live in Australia, check the Planet Ark website to find a recycling point near you. 

      Common questions about toys for children

      What sort of toys are likely to have button batteries?

      Generally, any toy that lights up, has moving parts or makes sounds could contain a button battery. Make sure the battery is secure; if you are not sure, it is best to dispose of the toy.

      How long after swallowing a button battery will my child show symptoms?

      Your child’s symptoms will depend on where the battery is inside their body. Some children may not seem unwell at first, while others may cough, choke or make gagging noises. Within minutes or hours, your child may struggle to breathe or start drooling. If the battery is in their oesophagus (swallowing tube), it can cause a serious burn injury in two hours. This can lead to serious bleeding or death.

      For more information

      Developed by The Royal Children’s Trauma department. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.

      Reviewed December 2024

      Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.