Button Batteries Are Tiny but Potentially Deadly if Swallowed

A new law is supposed to protect children from gaining access to them, but as a startling Consumer Reports investigation revealed gaps remain that may be putting your family at risk.

Button batteries are small, round batteries that are commonly used in a variety of household items, such as toys, watches, and calculators. While these batteries may seem harmless, they can actually be quite dangerous if swallowed.

The internal body fluids can activate a battery's electrical current, which can then burn a hole through the tissue in the esophagus. This can be life-threatening in as little as two hours.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were more than 54,000 ER visits and at least 25 deaths attributed to button batteries from 2011 to 2021.

A recent investigation by Consumer Reports found that a third of the 31 products they examined had dangerously accessible button batteries. The battery compartments on five products opened so easily that a child, or potentially even a baby, could access the batteries.

The compartments on five items also pose a risk because they are easily breakable. The battery compartments on the other 21 products were safer.

CR asked the 10 companies for comments. All but one couldn’t be reached or didn’t respond.

LumaBase says their newer tealights have screws securing the battery compartments.

To keep your family safe, Consumer Reports says to look around your home for products that require button batteries.

If you find any and it has a battery compartment that you can open very easily using just one hand, especially if you have kids or babies at home, it might be a good idea to get rid of it. CR also recommends storing your batteries where kids can’t reach them.