Parents and Caregivers

What Parents and Caregivers Can Do
There are steps you can take to reduce the risk associated with coin lithium batteries:


Devices to check

  • Mini remote controls
  • Car key fobs
  • Flameless candles
  • Sound-enabled books
  • Scales and other health and fitness products
  • Calculators
  • Watches

1. Learn the facts

  • Know which devices use coin lithium batteries.
  • Learn the symptoms of coin lithium battery ingestion, such as coughing, drooling and discomfort. Get more facts

2. Reduce the risk

  • Check your home for loose or spare coin lithium batteries and devices that use them. Lock them away from kids.
  • When purchasing new coin lithium batteries, choose batteries in packaging that requires scissors to open.
  • Tell family and friends about the risk. Share our coin lithium battery safety fact sheet and other videos with them.

3. Get help fast

Go to the ER immediately if a battery is swallowed.

  • Tell doctors and nurses it might be a coin lithium battery.
  • Give the medical team the identification number from the battery’s package if possible.
  • Do not let the child eat or drink until an X-ray determines if a battery is present.
  • Do not induce vomiting.

Data provided by Dr. Toby Litovitz and the The National Capital Poison Center based on incidents reported to U.S. poison control centers.

For Emergencies DIAL 911