Staying alert of hazards in children’s toys during Christmas

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Norton Children’s Hospital is emphasizing the dangers of button batteries that may come in toys children receive for Christmas.

Within the past month, Norton Children’s emergency department has seen two button battery cases, but neither case was fatal.

Symptoms of button battery ingestion can include drooling, abdominal pain and refusal to eat or drink.

Norton children’s experts also encourage parents to inspect toys for loose or flimsy parts that could break off, becoming choking hazards for younger children, and to find the battery compartments to make note of how secured they are.

Kinsey Evrard of Norton Children’s Prevention and Wellness said, “Button batteries are a huge concern because of their size, they’re pretty small. If a battery compartment is not secured on a toy and a child is able to open that and swallow a button battery, the caregiver might not realize that they’re choking on anything. It would probably go down fine. And the problem is, we don’t know it until we start seeing those signs. And if we see signs, it can be too late.”

Norton Children’s added taking a few extra minutes to check toys before letting your kids play with them can help prevent serious injuries.