Swallowed by a child, a button or coin battery from a remote, bathroom scale, car key or toy can burn through the throat or oesophagus in as little as two hours. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports 27 deaths and an estimated 54,300 emergency room-treated injuries from swallowed or inserted button batteries in 2011–2021. If you suspect a child has swallowed one, go straight to the nearest emergency department. The National Capital Poison Center guidance CPSC cites says that for children 12 months or older who swallowed one within the past 12 hours, give 10 mL of honey every 10 minutes on the way, no more than six doses — and never delay the trip for honey.
1. Suspect a swallowed battery? Go to the ER now — damage in as little as 2 hours.
2. 12 months or older and within 12 hours: 10 mL of honey every 10 minutes on the way, up to 6 doses — don’t delay for it.
3. Check battery compartments are screwed shut; replace damaged products — 27 deaths and 54,300 ER injuries in 2011–2021 (US).
Counter
Updates as you type. Only for children 12 months or older who swallowed a button battery in the past 12 hours: 10 mL every 10 minutes on the way to the ER, no more than 6 doses. Never delay going to the ER to get or give honey. Doses = travel minutes ÷ 10 + 1, capped at 6 (our sum).
What CPSC reports
| Type | What the source says | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths and injuries | 27 deaths and about 54,300 ER-treated injuries linked to swallowed or inserted button batteries, 2011–2021 | About 4,936 a year (our sum) |
| Speed | Can burn through a child’s throat or oesophagus in as little as two hours | — |
| Reese’s Law | Under Reese’s Law (enacted 16 August 2022), ANSI/UL 4200A-2023 adopted as mandatory, protecting children six and younger | US product rules |
| Compartments | Must need a tool such as a screwdriver or coin, or at least two independent simultaneous movements by hand | — |
| Packaging | Batteries sold, made or imported after 12 February 2023 need child-resistant packaging; warnings on products and packs | — |
At home — CPSC
| If | What to do | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| A product whose compartment doesn’t screw shut | Keep it away from children | Remotes, scales, candle lights (our examples) |
| A damaged compartment | Replace the product as soon as possible, or repair or dispose of it | Taping isn’t mentioned |
| Toys | Check compartments are secured — toys must need a screwdriver, coin or tool | — |
| Loose batteries | Don’t let children play with or handle them | Store spares out of reach (ours) |
If swallowed — our honey count
| Time to the ER (our example) | Honey | Worth noting (our sum) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 minutes | 1 dose (10 mL) | One as you set off |
| 30 minutes | 4 doses (40 mL) | At 0, 10, 20, 30 minutes |
| 90 minutes | 6 doses (60 mL) | 6 is the cap |
Under 12 months, or more than 12 hours since swallowing: no honey, straight to the ER. The count is our sum of “every 10 minutes, no more than six” from setting off; follow the ER and poison centre. CPSC says to contact the US battery ingestion and poison help lines straight away (in Korea, 119).
Other toy-gift hazards are in toy gift safety; a home kit in first aid kit.
Checklist
- ☐ List products with button batteries — remotes, scales, keys
- ☐ Compartments screwed shut
- ☐ New and used batteries stored high up
- ☐ Suspected swallowing: ER without delay
Questions that remain
Do Korean products meet the same standard?
The rules here are the US Reese’s Law and CPSC’s; check Korean product standards separately.
What if I’m not sure it was swallowed?
CPSC says to take a child suspected of swallowing one to the ER immediately.
Sources
- US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) — Making Families Safer from Button Cell or Coin Battery Dangers — source (release 23-283, 11 September 2023; checked 21 October 2026). 27 deaths and 54,300 injuries (2011–2021), 2 hours, Reese’s Law (16 August 2022) and ANSI/UL 4200A-2023, compartments and packaging (12 February 2023), consumer tips, the ER and honey 10 mL every 10 minutes up to 6 (National Capital Poison Center).
- Not read. The poison center’s own page; Korean product standards.
- What we added. The “worth noting” column and the Korean everyday gloss.
Where to check further
- Emergency services — if swallowed.
- Korea’s product safety information centre — recalls and standards.
Written on 21 October 2026. The content is from the source; the glosses are ours.
