CALLING ON PARENTS AND PAEDIATRICS
TO #POWERSAFELY

Due to the increasing use of Lithium Coin batteries in everyday products such as scales, key fobs, remote controls and flameless candles, the number of child ingestion accidents is on the rise. Research shows that the number of related accidents in households across the globe have more than quadrupled since 2002.

Left untreated, an ingested Lithium Coin battery can get stuck in the oesophagus causing a harmful chemical reaction which can become fatal in as little as two hours. That’s why Duracell and the European Academy of Paediatrics are reaching out to parents, paediatrics and caregivers about the dangers of Lithium Coin battery ingestion and how to prevent it.

*Applied on 2032, 2025 and 2016 batteries. Those batteries have a diameter of 20mm, which is similar to the size of a child’s oesophagus. If swallowed, they are linked to major effects vs. smaller batteries.

How can this be prevented?

Duracell’s latest innovation

Baby secure

technology

Duracell’s latest innovation

Baby secure

technology

The battery has a ring-shaped layer which has a bad taste to discourage swallowing from babies and toddlers. We are using Bitrex®, the bitterest substance in the world commonly used in household products to prevent ingestion. The bitter taste layer on the Duracell cell is non-toxic and completely harmless if consumed. Find out more on bitrex.com.

*Applied on 2032, 2025 and 2016 batteries. Those batteries have a diameter of 20mm, which is similar to the size of a child’s oesophagus. If swallowed, they are linked to major effects vs. smaller batteries.

The battery has a ring-shaped layer which has a bad taste to discourage swallowing from babies and toddlers. We are using Bitrex®, the bitterest substance in the world commonly used in household products to prevent ingestion. The bitter taste layer on the Duracell cell is non-toxic and completely harmless if consumed. Find out more on bitrex.com.

*Applied on 2032, 2025 and 2016 batteries. Those batteries have a diameter of 20mm, which is similar to the size of a child’s oesophagus. If swallowed, they are linked to major effects vs. smaller batteries.

More child safety features than the other leading brands

BABY SECURE TECHNOLOGY

A non-toxic bitter taste ring-shaped layer with Bitrex® applied on the back side of the cell to discourage swallowing from babies and toddlers.

TAMPER-PROOF PACKING

With double blister to avoid accidental opening – can only be opened with scissors.

ON- PACK WARNING

Keep away from the children.

ENGRAVED WARNING

On positive terminal.

SAFETY STICKER

Smart safety sticker: should be removed before inserted into devices and reminds parents to keep coin cells away from children.

How you can help

IDENTIFY DEVICES IN YOUR HOME

Devices, such as key-fobs, remote controls and kitchen scales, are getting smaller and more power hungry. That’s why more and more devices are powered by lithium coins. However, those batteries can be a hazard for small children.

Every year hundreds of children accidentally ingested lithium coin batteries. If swallowed, a lithium coin battery can get lodged in a child’s oesophagus and cause serious harm in as little as two hours.

Follow these 5 steps

F
Find out which devices in your home contain lithium coin batteries (specifically 2032, 2016 and 2025 sizes) and store those devices away and out of reach of children.
I
Inspect the devices for any that don't have screw on compartments and seal them with tape.
R
Remove expired batteries and place them away safely and out of reach of children until you can recycle them properly.
S
Select lithium coin products with safety features that reduce the risk of accidental ingestion, like the Duracell Child Safety Pack that can be only opened by an adult using a pair of scissors, or the Duracell bitter taste ring-shaped layer that can discourage swallowing form babies and toddlers.
T
Team up with friends and family to spread this information and keep children safe.

Other

Helpful Resources

Looking for more information and additional tips?

If your child swallows a battery, go to the emergency room.
If you have other questions or concerns, call +44 (0) 844 892 0111 or send an email to nirdic.nirdic@belfasttrust.hscni.net.