Button and coin batteries are small enough to be overlooked in remotes, key fobs, toys, cards, and other household items. A quick home check can identify products that need to be kept out of reach, repaired, or replaced.
Look for products with accessible batteries
- Check remotes, key fobs, small electronics, musical cards, toys, and holiday items.
- Look for battery compartments that require a screw, tool, or other secure closure.
- Inspect for loose, missing, or damaged covers and for batteries stored outside their packaging.
Make the space safer
- Keep loose button and coin batteries away from children.
- Keep products with an accessible or damaged battery compartment out of reach until repaired, replaced, or disposed of safely.
- Check that children’s products using these batteries have their compartment secured as directed.
- Store replacement batteries in their original packaging and follow local disposal guidance.
If ingestion may have occurred
Treat a suspected battery ingestion as an emergency. Do not wait for symptoms or try to make someone vomit. Contact emergency services or a poison-control resource immediately and follow professional instructions.
Source notes
CPSC’s Button Cell and Coin Battery Information Center warns that these batteries can cause severe injury if swallowed and recommends keeping products with unsecured or damaged compartments away from children. Follow product instructions and medical advice for any suspected exposure.