10/08/2026
As another part to our community outreach for Fire Prevention Week, our members Lieutenant Kayla Neil and Firefighter Melanie Gordon presented yet another danger that Lithium Batteries possess: ingestion hazards.
Batteries are in most children’s toys, and small “coin” batteries are still found in those and other items such as thermometers, watches, and car keys. “Coin”, “flat”, or “button” batteries are small, round batteries that resemble quarters, dimes, or are even smaller. These tiny, shiny dangers are very appealing to children. Some brands now even coat them with flavors that are supposed to deter swallowing, however children may still find the tartness appealing.
Lt. Neil and FF Gordon shared valuable information to parents and children about Button Battery ingestion, and we feel it is important to share it here as well. Using batteries placed on lunchmeat and saline to simulate saliva, they provided a visual representation of what can happen if one of these batteries gets stuck in a throat.
If you’re ever in a situation where a child or adult has ingested a Button Battery, promptly seek medical treatment at an emergency room. For children older than 1 year, a first aid best-practice and option is administering honey to stop the burning process. If feasible in the situation, contact the Button Battery Hotline at 1-800-498-8666
See photo descriptions below for the results of their initial experiment in June, as well as attached copies of more information.
