subject: Swallowing Button Battery Could Cause Serious Injury, Death
[print this page] Girls and boys, chiefly toddlers and babies, are known for placing items in their mouths. Choking is not the only risk to safety to be careful of when your girl or boy has eaten an item he shouldn't have -- the instances of button battery injuries from unintentially ingesting is climbing all around the U.S., and these may be serious, even fatal, occurrences.
Over 3,500 individuals spanning various ages by accident eat these small, disc-shaped objects annually in the U.S.. Most are approximately the dimensions of a coin, and typically they will travel through the digestive tract and be rid of in the stool, never resulting in any problems. Regrettably, this isn't always the outcome.
If you or a friend or family member has been injured or has died from a swallowed button battery, you may just be qualified for compensation. A button battery injury lawyer can assist in determining if your case is valid.
Perils Of Swallowing Button Batteries
If swallowed, button batteries can become wedged in the esophagus. When this occurs, a power current can form around the outside of the battery and create hydroxide, triggering critical internal injuries, tissue damage, chemical burns, and even loss of life in some cases.
Once burning of the esophagus takes place, the damage can persist even if the device is dislodged. Warning signs of button battery injuries could include coughing, drooling and discomfort, which can be mistaken for other childhood illnesses.
About eleven children have lost their lives in the previous six years after eating these objects. More have encountered the severe button battery injuries mentioned above. So, how does one prevent these tragedies from happening?
Where To Find And Safeguard Disc Batteries
These tiny batteries turn up in a variety of standard items in the home, many of which you might not exactly be familiar with, including:
1. Watches
2. Remote controls
3. Key-less entry appliances
4. Hearing aids
5. Greeting cards that have audio messages
6. Bathroom scales
7. Electronic games
8. Calculators
To deter accidental ingestion, the National Capital Poison Center recommends disposing of these items with care, keeping them out of your daughter's or son's reach always, and ensuring that any electronic gadgets that use them have a battery storage space that is secured by a screw or taped securely. Furthermore, never fail to monitor medication before taking them -- adults have by mistake eat these objects, as they are little and may be mistaken for pills or tablets.
How To Respond If Button Battery Eaten
It's imperative to know what to do in the event that you swallow a battery. The below actions may help save you or your child's life if there is accidental consumption.
1. Phone the 24-hour National Battery Ingestion Hotline IMMEDIATELY. The number is 202-635-3334, and you can phone collect if necessary; or phone the poison center at 800-222-1222.
2. While phoning, try to have the device's serial number ready. This will be found on the package or from a matching battery.
3. More often than not, have an X-ray at once. This is necessary to check that the appliance has traveled past the esophagus.
4. No drinking or eating until an X-ray is collected. DO NOT set about to force vomiting.
5. If vomiting, bloody stool, fever or abdominal pain is found, report it immediately.
