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Sunshine Coast girl dies after swallowing lithium battery
APN Newdesk
1st Jul 2013 8:30 PM
Updated: 9:02 PM
A SUNSHINE Coast girl has died from stomach bleeding after swallowing a lithium battery.
The ABC reports the four-year-old was taken to Noosa Hospital early Sunday.
She was transferred to Royal Brisbane Hospital but could not be saved.
Susan Teerds from Kidsafe Queensland says the button-shaped batteries are found in many common household items, and parents must be vigilant.
"When a child swallows a battery it often gets caught in the oesophagus, around the voice box. Once it's been lodged, within an hour, it will start to burn a hole," she said.
"The saliva actually starts a chemical reaction and burns a hole through the oesophagus and can keep burning a hole into the aorta, through to the spine and whatever else is there."
According to the international Safe Kids website, each year in the United States, more than 2,800 kids are treated in emergency rooms after swallowing button batteries.
"That's one child every three hours. The number of serious injuries or deaths as a result of button batteries has increased ninefold in the last decade,'' the site says.
Top tips to keep kids safe
- Keep coin lithium battery-controlled devices out of sight and reach of children.
- These include remote controls, singing greeting cards, digital scales, watches, hearing aids, thermometers, children's toys, calculators, key fobs, t-light candles, flashing holiday jewelry or decorations all contain button batteries.
- Keep loose batteries locked away, or place a piece of duct tape over the controller to prevent small children from accessing the battery.
- Share this life-saving information with caregivers, friends, family members and sitters. It only takes a minute and it could save a life.
- If you suspect your child has ingested a battery, go to the hospital immediately. Don't induce vomiting or have your child eat or drink anything until assessed by a medical professional.
