Button Batteries
“It turns out this is one of the most damaging and dangerous things that my beautiful boy could have ever swallowed. It does not get much worse than this.” – Mother of an 8 month-old baby boy.

What you need to know …

The risks
Button batteries, particularly big, powerful lithium coin cell batteries, can badly hurt or kill a small child if they swallow one and it gets stuck in their food pipe. Find out more.
Free Downloads

Flyer and poster
Our hard-hitting flyer, available in English and Welsh, explains the risks and offers safety tips and emergency advice. Our colourful poster prompts parents to hunt for button batteries in their homes.

Session plan
Our dual-purpose flashcard and session plan is designed to help you run an engaging workshop with parents. With a visual aid, workshop outline and safety facts and tips to share.
What you can do …

Session resources
Use our ready-made resources to run an effective group discussion with parents, whether virtual or face-to-face. Our free film, session plan and poster will help parents recognise dangers and make their homes safer.

‘Flat’ button batteries dangers
Used, ‘flat’ lithium coin cell batteries can still cause serious damage to a child’s food pipe if swallowed. Help us spread the word.
News

New campaign launched to inform families on battery safety
The Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) and the British and Irish Portable Battery Association (BIPBA) join forces to reduce the risks of children swallowing button batteries.

Fidget spinners – a hidden hazard in the latest playground craze
Fidget spinners are the latest playground craze but doctors have raised concerns about cheap fidget spinners with LED lights powered by small button batteries.

‘Devastating deaths’ – safety body issues recommendations on button batteries
The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch publishes its independent investigation into the death of a three-year-old who swallowed a button battery. Its report makes recommendations about public awareness, product safety and clinical decision-making.

How to be a safety savvy shopper for your family this Christmas
We’ve more choice for Christmas shopping than ever before, with Black Friday deals and bargains galore. Here’s our advice on making sure those bargains don’t bring more than we bargained for.

Christmas unwrapped … safely
Everything is a toy when children are little. With all the excitement, it’s easy for little hands to find things that are dangerous. Here is our low-down on unwrapping Christmas safely.

Be aware of button battery risks this Christmas
Tips to help keep your family safe from button battery dangers this Christmas.

Battery lodged in baby’s food pipe for four months
11-month-old Sofia-Grace was rejecting solid food because she had a button battery lodged in her throat for four months. The outcome could well have been catastrophic.

Warning to parents after battery death of two-year-old
Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Board has issued a warning to parents after the death of a toddler who swallowed a button battery.

New safety standards for button batteries
A campaign to prevent children being killed and injured by button batteries has reached a significant milestone thanks to ground-breaking new safety standards.