Button batteries are small circle batteries used in a lot of household items and if ingested can kill a child in less than six hours. They are found in toys, remote controls, watches, clocks, and hearing aids. 

Risks and injuries

Research shows batteries 20mm in diameter or more are the most dangerous. This is because they are small enough to be easily swallowed but not small enough to pass through a child’s oesophagus.

If swallowed, an electrical current is immediately triggered by saliva. A chemical reaction occurs causing severe burns to the child’s oesophagus and major internal organs within as little as two hours.

The following symptoms may occur after swallowing a button battery:

• gagging or choking
• drooling
• chest pain
• coughing or noisy breathing
• unexplained vomiting or food refusal
• black or red bowel motions or vomits
• nose bleeds
• unexplained fever

Buying tips

Australia introduced the world's first mandatory safety standards with child-resistant packaging. 

It is important to safely store, use and dispose of the battery correctly, especially if the packaging is open.

Buying button-batteries and products 

• Only buy button batteries in child-resistant packaging. 
• Look for products which need a tool to open the battery compartment.
• If the compartment is not secured with a screw, the product is non-compliant and could be added to the product recall list. 

Safe use

Keep products with button batteries out of sight and out of reach of small children. 

If a child has swallowed a button battery:

• Immediately call the Poisions Information Hotline on 13 11 26.
• Do not let the child eat or drink.
• Do not induce vomiting. 

Safe disposal 

• Dispose of them immediately in an outside bin. Keep them out of reach of children. Check your local council for information on how to recycle batteries safely. 

More information

Product Safety Australia's Button batteries page has more information including

For consumers:

• button batteries, risks, and advice for parents and caregivers

For businesses:

• Button/coin battery safety: a guide for business to help suppliers understand the requirements

• a fact sheet, which summarises the four standards for businesses.

Reporting products

If you find any products you think are unsafe and non-compliant, report them to us by email consumer@demirs.wa.gov.au or call 1300 30 40 54.

You can check the product recall lists on the Product Safety Australia website.