Buying safe toys this Christmas - Lewisham Children & Family Centre

As Christmas approaches we’re all looking to save a bit of money this year but toy safety is something we just can’t take a chance on.

The Child Accident Protection Trust has these guidelines

Button Batteries

“It turns out this is one of the most damaging and dangerous things that my beautiful boy could have ever swallowed. It does not get much worse than this.” – Mother of an 8 month-old baby boy.

If your child swallows a button battery, it can get stuck in their food pipe. It can burn through to the main artery and badly harm or even kill them. This can happen very quickly. Children aged 6 months to 4 ½ years are most at risk.

Which batteries are most dangerous?
Lithium coin cell batteries are slightly bigger than a 5 pence piece. They are big enough to get stuck
and are strong enough to kill. Smaller button batteries can still cause harm, especially if they are new.

Where are they?
Your child can find button batteries in things like:

small remote controls
car key fobs or key finders
musical cards and books
light-up toys and novelty items
nightlights
digital scales
thermometers
old toys in the toy box

Children may also find spare batteries that are stored within reach or have fallen from the pack. Even used ‘flat’ batteries still hold enough charge to be dangerous.

Download English Button Battery Factsheet to keep your child safe this Christmas

Magnets

“The damage they did is absolutely unreal. They burned holes in the intestines. Whenever they opened him up some of his intestines already leaked out.” Mother of a three-year-old boy

If a child swallows the small balls, magnets effectively rip holes in their intestines or bowels. The magnets stick together internally and through organs and tissues, and can cut off blood supply causing tissue to die. They are much more complex than button batteries to extract.

The child will need emergency surgery, then, depending on the severity of the injuries, they may need numerous operations, bowel resection and time in paediatric intensive care.

Download the Magnet Factsheet to keep your child safe this Christmas

Visit the Child Accident Trust website to find out more about toy safety

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