Qld Health launches “terrifying” video exposing the dangers of button batteries

A horrifying video by Queensland Health showing a button battery burning through tissue is sure to shock and terrify parents.

A terrifying video launched by Queensland Health lays bare how quickly button batteries can burn through tissue if swallowed by children, putting their lives at risk.

The video, timed to coincide with the Christmas shopping season, shows what a tiny button battery can do to a slice of raw chicken over 12 hours, mimicking what can happen to a child’s oesophagus, stomach or bowel.

Qld Health video showing how quickly button batteries can cause harm. Pictured: 1 hr damage to a chicken fillet.

Qld Health video showing how quickly button batteries can cause harm. Pictured: 3 hrs damage to a chicken fillet.

Qld Health video showing how quickly button batteries can cause harm. Pictured: 11 hrs damage to a chicken fillet.

Queensland Health’s Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Service executive director Kirstine Sketcher-Baker said button batteries could cause internal bleeding if ingested.

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“Even an old or flat battery can general enough electricity to cause serious burns,” Ms Sketcher-Baker said.

“The frightening thing is parents might be unaware their child has swallowed a button battery because it can take a while before the symptoms are obvious.”

An estimated 20 children a week are taken to Australian hospital emergency departments because they have ingested or inserted button batteries.

Ms Sketcher-Baker said button batteries were not only included in many children’s toys, they were also common in remote controls, calculators, flameless candles and musical greeting cards.

She urged people buying presents for children to consider safer alternatives to toys containing button batteries.

“There are safer alternatives that will bring your little ones as much joy,” Ms Sketcher-Baker said.

Queensland Family and Child Commission chief executive Cheryl Vardon. Photo: Adam Head.

Queensland Family and Child Commission chief executive Cheryl Vardon urged parents to think about choosing toys that would allow them to spend more time with their children, rather than buying gadgets powered by button batteries.

“We’ve discovered through COVID that many families have turned back to sitting around the table at night playing board games together,” Ms Vardon said.

“It would be great to be able to carry that through.”

If parents suspect a child has swallowed or inserted a button battery, they should immediately call the Poisons Information Helpline on 13 11 26 for expert advice 24/7.
Do not allow them to eat or drink anything and do not induce vomiting.

If your child is bleeding or having difficulty breathing, call triple-0 immediately.