Every year about 2,000 children worldwide die as a result of swallowing a button cell battery; the flat battery with a diameter of 2 cm that is found in LED candles, your car key or movable cuddly toys. Aware of this danger, researchers from TU Delft, the University of Groningen (RUG) and the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) are pushing to develop a child-friendly button cell battery, TU Delft says in a (Dutch) press release.
- A child-friendly version of the button cell battery has a fuse
- The new battery is compatible with standard manufacturing processes
When a button cell battery is swallowed, electrical charge is released that immediately begins to dissolve tissue, this can lead to permanent damage or even death. Heart-lung surgeon Tjark Ebels of the UMCG and ENT doctor Freek Dikkers, in collaboration with Delft professor Marnix Wagemakers and Research Technician Frans Ooms, developed a child-friendly version by adding a fuse to the button cell battery. After ingestion, the current is automatically cut off, preventing serious injury, tissue damage or even death.
Causing misery
“We were shocked to hear what misery this battery can cause children and how serious this problem is. Naturally, we did not hesitate for a moment to use our knowledge of batteries to find a solution,” say Frans Ooms and Marnix Wagemakers.
National Button Battery Awareness Day
June 12 is National Button Battery Awareness Day. The initiative was inspired in part by Reese Hamsmith, an American child who would have turned four on June 13 but died at 18 months old after swallowing a button cell battery. Her mother has since been committed to raising awareness of the dangers of button cell batteries for young children and promoting safety regulations. This led to the signing of “Reese’s Law” by President Biden in August 2022.
Swallowed a button cell battery anyway? Eat honey and see a doctor immediately!
The doctors like to offer another tip for parents: “Ironically, the danger comes from used/empty batteries that parents collect with good intentions and take to the recycling bin once in a while. Don’t leave empty batteries lying around, but take them away immediately or collect them somewhere your child really can’t reach. And if it does happen: have your child eat honey. Fortunately, almost everyone has that in the house. And consult a doctor as soon as possible. If you get there in time, we can help your child well and limit the damage.”
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