A cause-oriented group has urged parents to pay close attention to button batteries in toy products as it can “pose serious health risk to young children.”
“Toys powered by button batteries can pose serious health risk to young children. Button batteries in costume headbands, for example, can come loose, get swallowed or pushed into the nostril or ear by an innocent child,” said Thony Dizon, chemical safety campaigner of EcoWaste Coalition.
The group said that if the button battery is accidentally ingested, it can cause chemical burns in just two hours. Moreover, if it is pushed into the nasal cavity, it may cause mucous membrane injury, fissure or hole in bone and cartilage of the nose, scar tissue formation, and cellulitis of the eyelid.
“Button batteries can pose serious health hazards, including chemical burns, and should therefore be treated like poison and kept out of children’s view and reach,” said Dizon.
The group advised the parents to refrain from buying toy products that have loose installed batteries, instead buy those products with battery compartment that is properly secured with a screw to prevent child’s access.
Parents were also advised to carefully read the product safety precautions and instructions.
“Keep old and new button batteries out of children’s reach as these can pose a poisoning hazard… Store spent batteries in a sealed childproof container to prevent kids from playing with them,” reminded the group. (Analou de Vera)
