Skip to Content

Primary Care Alberta reminds residents of the danger of button batteries

Whitecourt, AB, Canada / XM 105
Dec 25, 2025 | 9:00 AM
Primary Care Alberta reminds residents of the danger of button batteries

(ID 21891626 © Rtbilder | Dreamstime.com)



With plenty of battery-operated toys and technology being opened on Christmas morning, Primary Care Alberta (PCA) is reminding residents about the dangers of button batteries and the risk they pose to children if swallowed.

Button batteries power toys, games, watches, hearing aids, cameras, calculators, flashing shoes and musical cards. PCA notes that their size and shape make them easily mistaken for food or candy by children.

Swallowing a button battery can cause severe chemical burns that destroy tissue in the upper digestive tract, or even death. Health officials say that damage can be rapid and may worsen if the battery is stuck in the esophagus instead of moving into the stomach.

After swallowing a button battery, a child might have one or more of these symptoms: wheezing, drooling, coughing, gagging when eating, trouble swallowing, chest pain, belly pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite or food refusal and fever. PCA notes that injury can still occur without these symptoms.

Officials advise that if you think your child has swallowed a button battery, do not induce vomiting. Take them to the nearest emergency department or call 911 immediately. If you have honey at home, you can give your child two teaspoons (10 ml) of honey every 10 minutes, up to six times, but do not delay transport to the hospital to get or give honey. Do not give your child anything else to eat or drink.

PCA offers the following additional safety tips:

  • Where possible, choose products that do not use button batteries.
  • Keep all batteries locked up, out of reach and out of sight of children, even if the batteries are dead. Dead batteries can still cause harm if swallowed.
  • Supervise children when they use products containing button batteries.
  • Ensure children do not play with batteries or are not able to remove them. Only buy and use products where the battery is secured, so your child cannot open it; for example, battery covers that are secured by screws.
  • Look for loose batteries on floors, tables and counters in all homes you visit.
  • Store or dispose of batteries safely.
  • Use tape to cover any used batteries, then recycle them at designated drop-off points.