In the thick of summer holidays when more children will be spending time at home, nearly two-thirds of parents (63 per cent) worry their home isn’t child proofed against the risk of battery ingestion, according to new research from Energizer – a pioneering leader in the household batteries industry.
Dr. Emily MacDonagh and Energizer call upon parents to safety check their homes while school’s out as over half of parents(54 per cent) admit their child has swallowed something they shouldn’t have.
The poll of parents also revealed that 34 per cent hardly ever check toys for potential choking hazards, such as coin batteries. Found in remote controls, toys and key fobs, coin batteries are a small object that can cause a big problem.
As part of its ongoing commitment to innovation, quality and safety, Energizer has launched the world’s first and only lithium coin battery equipped with three levels of child protection. It is the only battery to offer Colour Alert technology, dying the mouth instantly if the battery comes into contact with saliva – therefore offering a higher level of child safety compared to ordinary lithium coin batteries, while maintaining long-lasting performance.
The packaging of the battery itself also makes it difficult for little fingers to get into, with each battery encased in its own individual blister until needed. Lastly, a non-toxic bitter coating has been applied to the cell to discourage swallowing.
As the lithium coin battery with the most child safety features on the market, this latest innovation – devised by Energizer’s Research and Development team – is a groundbreaking advancement to help minimise the risk of battery ingestion. These advancements help increase peace of mind for all caregivers, particularly the 40 per cent who are concerned they would not be able to tell if their child swallowed a battery. In fact, just over one in 10 (11 per cent) respondents to Energizer’s survey could not name a single symptom of battery ingestion.
Dr. Emily’s Top 5 Home Safety Tips:
Store securely: When not in use, it’s important to keep batteries sealed in childproof containers and stored out of reach from small, curious fingers. When disposing of batteries, they should also be kept in a sealed container and disposed of safely at a local recycling point.
Keep an eye on toys and devices: I know how tricky it can be to prize my kids’ favourite toys from their hands, but caregivers should be regularly checking children’s toys and devices to make sure battery covers are secure, haven’t been tampered with or aren’t showing signs of wear and tear. Toys and devices with screwed or latched battery compartments are the best for little ones to enjoy playing with.
Avoid mixing battery types: As tempting as it can be when switching coin batteries, avoid just grabbing any old replacement. Batteries from different brands, at different ages, and with different capacities or charge levels shouldn’t be mixed. Check which battery is the correct one for your device.
Battery safety first:Coin batteries are a common type of battery used all over the house – from remote controls to toys and key fobs. As these batteries tend to be quite small and extremely common, it’s best to use ones with safety features built in to reduce the risk of ingestion or to immediately show if they have been accidentally swallowed. Energizer® Ultimate Lithium™ 3-in-1 Child Shield Lithium Coin Battery, for example, is the only product with three layers of defence and is the world’s first battery to turn the mouth blue to indicate if one has possibly been consumed.
Familiarise yourself with the symptoms of ingestion and what to do in an emergency:There are so many things to look out for as a parent to ensure your little one is growing up healthy and strong, it can be overwhelming. But there are a few signs you can look out for if something has been ingested by accident. Symptoms like coughing, drooling, difficulty swallowing or breathing and vomiting, are potential indicators. Also look out for lesser-known side effects, such as blood in stools, a hoarse voice, a weakened appetite, slurred speech, muscle cramps and swollen feet or ankles. Plus, if you’re using Energizer® Ultimate Lithium™ 3-in-1 Child Shield Lithium Coin Battery, a blue mouth could be another indication.
If you do think your child has swallowed a battery, seek immediate medical attention. The Energizer® Ultimate Lithium™ 3-in-1 Child Shield Lithium Coin Battery is available from Amazon now from £5.45.
For more information on the new Energizer® Ultimate Lithium™ 3-in-1 Child Shield Lithium Coin Battery, please visit: