Consumer and Business Services (CBS) is urging South Australians to check for unsafe button batteries in their homes, as mandatory safety standards come into effect.
In a statement, CBS said if people suspected a child had swallowed or inserted a button battery, they should immediately call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 and if the child had any difficulty breathing, contact 000.
“Many consumer and household products are powered by button batteries including remote controls, children’s toys, torches, digital kitchen and bathroom scales, and home medical devices,” the Agency said.
“Button batteries are a big safety risk to young children,” it said.
“Once these tiny batteries become lodged they can burn through soft tissue inside the body and serious injury can occur within two hours.”
Deputy Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), Delia Rickard said world-first mandatory safety standards were a critical step in helping to prevent potentially life-threatening injuries to children.
Ms Rickard said businesses had already recalled a number of different products, including things like novelty light-up toys, children’s clothing, remote controls for smoke alarms and ceiling fans, and even a yoghurt that had a light-up lid.
CBS said people should aim to buy products that do not use button batteries at all.
“But, if you do buy products that are powered by button batteries check that the battery compartment is secure so children can’t easily access the batteries,” it said.
“If you have a product that is damaged or the battery compartment does not close securely, stop using the product and keep it away from young children.”
CBS said new and used button batteries should be stored out of reach of young children in a locked or child-resistant container.
The ACCC’s 30-page guide on Button/coin battery safety can be accessed at this PS News link.
