Button batteries pose life-threatening dangers to young children

It is important to act quickly if someone has swallowed a button battery as it can cause life-threatening internal burns in as little as two hours. Even used or expired batteries can cause life-threatening injuries.Someone who has swallowed a button battery may not show any symptoms or they may show non-specific symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal or chest pain, fever, difficulty breathing and swallowing or loss of appetite. If you think that a child or adult has swallowed a button battery, get them to the nearest emergency department immediately. Do not induce vomiting.Several health organizations, including the Ontario Poison Centre and Alberta Health Services, advise giving your child honey on the way to the emergency department, as studies have shown that this may reduce the risk of serious injury. Take your child to the nearest emergency department immediately. Do not delay to obtain or give them honey. Remember that Health Canada advises to only give honey to healthy children over one year of age to avoid the risk of infant botulism.Due to the dangers they pose to young children, especially those under the age of five, new or used button batteries should always be stored out of sight and reach of children.Check regularly that button battery compartments are secure.Look for products with battery compartments that are not easy to open.Always supervise children when they use products containing button batteries.Never store button batteries near food and/or medicine.When replacing button batteries, make sure that used batteries are discarded quickly and properly and are out of sight and reach of children.Place pieces of non-conductive tape (packing, scotch or electrical tape) on either side of button batteries after removing them from products and before disposing of them.Contact your municipality for instructions on how to safely dispose of button batteries. Batteries are considered hazardous waste and should not be placed in household garbage.