The Importance of Battery Safety around Children
Many toys and electronic equipment for families and children use batteries, from thermometers to toys to lights and decorations, so it is inevitable that your child will come in contact with batteries. In fact, most accidents involving children and batteries occur at the moment of battery changing, when batteries are exposed and potentially loose. But child safety around batteries is incredibly important because:
- Some small batteries such as AAA batteries and button batteries are easy to swallow. Swallowing or ingesting batteries, even dead ones, is a severe medical emergency, and can cause serious internal burns and even death in as little as 2 hours
- Improper battery use is an electrical safety risk, and can cause electric shocks if used incorrectly
- Old batteries can cause leak chemicals or result in battery fires, causing injury, burns and more
We know that children are curious and it can be difficult to constantly supervise their every move. But here are GP's top safety tips to keep your family safe when it comes to battery usage and storage.
Top Tips on How to Keep Your Child Safe Around Batteries
Use the correct battery
This may sound obvious, but make sure you are using the right sized battery for the toy or item! Battery-operated products are designed to take specific battery sizes, so don't try to force an AA battery into a toy that takes AAA batteries just because that's the only sized battery you have at home. Not only will the wrong battery likely not fit properly in the battery slot, it can cause the toy or product to malfunction, or it could even fall out if not properly secured, which could lead to accidental battery ingestion by your child.
Ensure batteries are secured
For most electronics and toys, the battery compartment has a cover that slides and clicks into place. Others may require a screwdriver to access. All these measures are to ensure the batteries are safely secured within the product, and do not accidentally come loose or come in contact with us. When you place fresh batteries into your child's toy, make sure the battery cover is securely in place and that it has clicked, screwed or locked into position. For extra safety and security, you can place a piece of tape, whether it's regular tape or strong packing tape, over the battery compartment door to prevent small children from opening it when you're not around.
Change batteries safely
Did you know that most accidents involving children and batteries occur at the point of battery changing? Let’s face it, we’ve all been there: you open the toy to see what battery it requires, you go to the kitchen or study where you store your batteries and rummage through your stash, then you return with the new batteries to swap out the old, or you come back and deliver the bad news that there are no spare batteries and you have to run to the shops. Except in that time, your child could pry the old battery out or touch it with their fingers because curiosity gets the better of them. This can lead to skin irritation, burns or even accidental ingestion.
The best way to switch batteries over in toys and other child's electronics is to take the entire device with you. This way, you ensure the toy and batteries are not left unattended with your child, and allows you to check that you are replacing the old batteries with fresh ones of the right size.
Or better yet, make the switch to GP's rechargeable range ! That way, you know you always have spare batteries fully charged and ready to go. You can take the toy to your charger, swap the old for the new, all in one swift motion, ensuring the batteries are always securely stowed, whether in the charger or the toy, preventing opportunities for accidental ingestion as well as tantrums!
Practise safe battery storage
Every household has a stash of batteries hidden away for emergencies, but it is important to store batteries safely to prolong the life of your batteries and protect young children in your family. GP's top safe storage tips include:
- Store your batteries in a cool, dry place
- Keep spare batteries out of reach of children, especially toddlers and small children
- Keep spare batteries in their original packaging where possible to keep them separated and protected
- Keep batteries separate from common metallic household objects such as paper clips, coins and keys
Do not use old batteries
Like many modern batteries, GP batteries (both single-use alkaline and rechargeable batteries) have a long shelf life, some of which last 10 years. However, this doesn't mean batteries are everlasting. Here are some common warning signs that you should dispose old batteries, even if they have not been used:
- The battery is leaking: a failing battery leaks electrolyte, resulting in white or blueish residue around the positive and negative terminals. If the chemicals are touched, it can cause skin and eye irritation or burns
- The battery is swelling: internal chemical reactions can generate gas inside the battery body and cause it to swell. This is a potential fire risk, as it could lead to an explosion and subsequent battery fire
- The battery is hot: the aforementioned chemical reaction or a short circuit can cause batteries to heat up. Again, this could lead to burns or even an explosion
If your battery is showing signs of ageing, make sure to dispose of them responsibly and correctly. If you don't know how to properly dispose of your batteries, read GP’s guide to proper battery disposal.
Dispose old batteries safely and responsibly
Do not throw your old batteries into the bin; this is a potential fire risk. Instead, you should take your old batteries to designated recycling or disposal spots, whether it's at your local supermarket or at your neighbourhood recycling centre. If you want to accumulate your used batteries and keep them aside for your next trip to the shops, make sure you store them in a container or box that can be closed securely, and keep out of reach of children. Read our post on proper battery disposal to learn more.
If your household frequently goes through lots of single-use batteries, why not consider making the switch to rechargeable batteries? They are more economical in the long run, and can replace up to hundreds of single-use alkaline batteries, making them the greener, more sustainable choice. At GP, we have award-winning rechargeable batteries in all the common sizes, so you never have to run to the stores to buy new batteries again.
Switch to Rechargeable—Safely!
If you have made the switch to rechargeable batteries, well done! At GP, we believe rechargeable batteries are the way to a greener future of power, so we are thrilled to have you onboard. But just like with alkaline batteries, there are specific safety tips for rechargeable batteries:
- Do not recharge single-use batteries: most rechargeable batteries are lithium, whereas single-use batteries are alkaline and therefore incompatible with rechargeable lithium technology. Attempting to recharge batteries that aren't suitable can be a fire safety risk
- Use the same brand: it is strongly advised to use the same brand for your rechargeable batteries and charger. This ensures the charger and batteries utilise the same technology to ensure top performance as well as safety.
- Use the right charger: most chargers are designated for specific battery sizes. Do not try to cram a rechargeable D battery into an AAA battery charger; not only will it likely not fit, it could become a serious fire safety hazard.
- Keep the charger out of reach of children: for convenience, our chargers are open so you can quickly pop your batteries in and out. But this also means your children can do the same thing too without you looking. Therefore, make sure your chargers are placed at a height that is inaccessible to your kids to prevent them from popping batteries out when you are not looking.
Do you need both AA and AAA battery chargers? GP's combination charger is the perfect solution for you.
What to do if your child has swallowed a battery
If you know or even suspect that your child has swallowed a battery (for instance, if you know a battery was on the table but then it's now gone after you went to the bathroom), stay calm and do not panic. Take your child to the emergency room immediately, and let the staff know that your child has or could have ingested a battery. A swallowed battery can cause permanent damage in as little as 2 hours, so it is imperative that you vocalise what's happened to prevent any delays in checks and investigation.
GP's Commitment to Child Battery Safety
GP understands the need to keep your family safe around batteries. That is why on our button batteries—the size that is most susceptible to accidental ingestion—come in child-safe packaging, where each individual cell is separately secured and require scissors to open. By ensuring little hands and fingers can't accidentally open the packaging, we are helping to keep your children safe around our batteries.
In addition, all GP Recyko battery chargers have auto-off technology, meaning the charger will automatically switch off once the batteries are fully charged. This helps to avoid overheating, reduce fire risk and prevent overconsumption of electricity.
By following our tips and tricks regarding proper battery handling, from storage to recycling, let us help you keep your family safe, healthy and happy around batteries all year round!
