The Battery Controlled partnership was launched in New Zealand today to help raise awareness among parents and medical first responders, such as paramedics, practice nurses, GPs, A&M and hospital emergency department staff, on a little known issue that has serious and even fatal consequences to small children—the ingestion or insertion of powerful button batteries or coin‐ sized lithium batteries.  

When a child swallows or inserts a button battery in the nose or ears, it can get stuck in the throat, nose or ear canal. Saliva or secretions trigger an electrical current causing severe burns and tissue damage within 2 hours. This results in serious injury that may require surgery, or even the death of the child.

Safekids Aotearoa reminds parents of toddlers and young children to be extra vigilant around driveways during these shorter days and longer nights. 

“While driveway run overs happen more frequently during spring and summer, it can also easily happen during autumn and winter when it gets dark earlier,” said Ann Weaver, Director of Safekids Aotearoa.