CHICAGO, IL – Pediatric emergency room physicians in Chicago are sounding the alarm, revealing they treat children who have swallowed dangerous button batteries on a weekly basis.
A Mother’s Heartbreaking Loss Sparks Change
The medical warning comes alongside the tragic story of Reese Hamsmith, an 18-month-old toddler who passed away from severe internal damage just two months after swallowing a button battery from a household remote control.
In the wake of her daughter’s death, Trista Hamsmith successfully fought to pass Reese’s Law, a piece of federal legislation that mandates strictly secured battery compartments on consumer products and clear safety warnings on packaging.
New Safety Innovations From Energizer
To further protect children, Hamsmith partnered with battery manufacturer Energizer to introduce new safety standards, which include:
- Bitter Coating: A non-toxic, bitter-tasting layer designed to make a child spit the battery out immediately.
- Color Alert Dye: A special dye that turns a child’s mouth blue if the battery is placed in their mouth, giving parents an instant visual warning.
- Burn Prevention: A protective substance designed to minimize severe chemical burns if ingestion does occur.
Dr. Michelle Macy, an emergency room physician at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, called these updates “game changers.” Dr. Macy notes that her department still treats at least one child every week for battery ingestion.
The Critical Two-Hour Window
Medical experts stress that speed is critical. If a button battery becomes lodged in a child’s esophagus, it can begin causing catastrophic chemical burns within just two hours, potentially creating a fatal hole in the tissue.
If parents suspect their child has swallowed a battery, they must take them to an emergency department for an immediate X-ray.
Warning Signs For Parents
According to Lurie Children’s Hospital, parents should watch for these immediate symptoms if they suspect a child has swallowed a foreign object:
- Sudden drooling or trouble swallowing
- Choking or coughing sounds
- Chest pain or belly pain
- Vomiting
