“Swallowing may lead to serious injury or death in as little as 2 hours due to chemical burns and potential perforation of the esophagus. Immediately see doctor; have doctor phone (202) 625-3333.”
Have you ever taken a moment to read the back of the package on coin lithium batteries? Yeah, me either. I had NO idea this could happen! I would have thought at most, if a child had swallowed one of these small coin batteries, he or she would need an xray and Mom and Dad would just wait to make sure it passed like a coin, right? Wow! I had no idea these little things were so dangerous.
With this danger, Energizer voluntarily led the way by developing packaging that meets the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) strict guidelines for child-resistant packaging. Their awareness campaign, called The Battery Controlled,alerts parents to the risks of swallowing these batteries.
Safety Experiment
Energizer provided me with a pack of their coin lithium batteries and a pack of the competitor’s batteries. I immediately noticed two things:
1. The warning and lettering on the back of the Energizer packaging is much bigger and easier to read.
2. The Energizer packaging is more slick and plastic – much less resistant to kid drool than the competitor’s thin cardboard.
I attempted to push through the packaging to get the battery out without cutting. It was nearly impossible with Energizer. The competitor’s packaging gave way a little but it was still difficult and I was not able to open either without scissors. However, if a child was chewing through the package (totally, totally normal and a daily occurrence in my house) I believe that once saturated it would be much easier to open *without* scissors.
Once out of the package, I noticed Energizer’s coin had a small sticker with a graphic and “Harmful if Swallowed” on the battery itself. Very nice touch. The competitor’s battery did not have any type of graphic or sticker.
Also extremely notable (and scary) is that the competitor’s packaging left the second battery completely accessible. The cut line is VERY unforgiving, and although I was careful to cut only the dotted line, for some reason the second battery just fell right out. On the other hand, the Energizer packaging prevented the second battery from being accessible – it must be cut again around the circle to open the seal. Fabulous design.
Energizer is the clear winner – hands down – in package safety.
This information leads me to action to ensure these batteries (and really, all batteries) should be locked up high away from my kids. I encourage you to share this information as well!
In support of National Childhood Injury Prevention Week (September 1-7, 2013), the National Safety Council and Energizer have teamed up to share some important tips every parent should know to help prevent injuries from the ingestion of Coin Lithium batteries to help keep kids safe.
The 4 S’s of Coin Lithium Battery Safety
· STORE devices that use coin lithium batteries out of reach of children
· SECURE the battery compartments of devices
· SELECT battery packaging that meets federal guidelines for child resistance, such as Energizer’s coin lithium battery packaging
· SHARE this information with your friends and family.
If it is suspected that a child has swallowed a coin lithium battery, it is important to go to the emergency department immediately. For more information on child safety and coin lithium battery safety, please visit nsc.org, www.energizer.com,TheBatteryControlled.com and www.poison.org/battery.
Energizer wants you to stay safe too! One reader will win an Energizer Prize Pack that includes:
· Two (2) packages of Energizer Coin Lithium batteries
· One (1) Energizer LED Nightlight (winner’s choice between Sleeping Beauty or Cars)
· One (1) Energizer Weatheready 2-in-1 LED Light
Enter the Rafflecopter form below. US only.
Disclosure: I was compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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We don’t really have the small batteries in our house but we put the other ones out of reach.
we keep them high up and out of sight
I would choose the cars
We store them in a safe spot!
I like Sleeping Beauty
We keep batteries in the kitchen pantry closet, on a high shelf.
I would choose Sleeping Beauty.
I keep them on a high shelf.
I would choose Sleeping Beauty.
we keep our batteries in a cupboard out of the reach of little ones
we keep them in a high cabinet
I would pick the cars one
I try to keep my batteries all together in a rubbermaid high in the closet
My daughters made a battery holder (home depot craft day); we have it hung high-up on the wall. Thank you for sharing!
We keep them up high where little ones can’t reach them.
We keep them up in a kitchen cabinet.
Id pick cars for my grandson.
We keep them in a container on top of the refrigerator.
We keep them on top of our refrigerator in a basket, where the kids can’t reach!
I keep all my batteries in a high cabinet. They are in a Tupperware container that is really difficult to open (even for me!)
Cars!!!
I always kept them in my jewelry box which has a lock on it.
I would choose the cars!
We have a special drawer we keep batteries in – thank you.
We have girls – Sleeping Beauty.
sleeping beauty AND WE KEEP THEM PUT AWAY IN A LOCKED CABINET
I keep them on a high shelf.
We have them stored in a container on top shelf
I would choose sleeping beauty
I would get the Cars nightlight
I keep them in a storage bin in the closet, thanks!
I would choose the Cars Nightlight, thanks!
I keep our spare batteries in a cabinet out of reach of my daughter
If I won, I would choose the Cars nightlight
I keep our batteries in a locked cupboard.
We keep ours in a box in the refrigerator
I would choose Sleeping Beauty
living in a hurricane-prone area, we keep a ton of batteries on hand for use in emergency flashlights, radios, etc. we have absolutely taken into consideration how dangerous these items are to children. Our batteries are kept in a box on the top shelf in our bedroom closet.
Gotta go with the Sleeping Beauty !
I would choose the cars.
Keep them in a locked box.
They are up higher than my children can reach or climb
I put my batteries in a locked drawer
I put them in a cabinet that’s above my stove so only the adults can get to them. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
I’d choose the sleeping beauty nightlight.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
I put them on the highest shelf out of sight
I put them on high shelves in containers.
We keep them high up on a shelf.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
We keep them up high.
I would choose Sleeping Beauty.
I keep them in a high cupboard.
I would choose Sleeping Beauty
We keep them in kid proof storage containers on high shelves.
I would pick the Cars night light if I was lucky enough to win
My batteries are stored in my dry sink up in my bedroom office.
We keep them on a high shelf in our basement storage room.
I’d choose Cars!
we keep them in a room temperature container
I keep the batteries lock away on a high self in my closet.
I would choose cars.
I keep them safe by checking whether they are still good using this battery monitor that I have and it tells you how much juice is left in them.
I would choose cars for my son.
Extra batteries are all locked in my husbands tool chest.
I would choose Cars.
I keep them all in a basket put up high on a shelf.
We keep them up in one our high cabinets out of reach.
andysavi.mom@gmail.com
I keep the batteries in a sealed container out of reach,
We keep batteries in a drawer where the baby doesn’t have access to.
Probably Cars because my 3 year old son loves the movies!
We keep them in a locked cabinet.
I would like Cars.
I keep them safe by putting them out of reach in a safe area where ist out of kids way
I would chose cars! Love me mc queen
I keep batteries in a container on a top shelf of my linen closet.
I would choose Cars.
We keep the batteries in a higher drawer that is only used to store batteries and small flashlights. Great review and comparison on the packaging!
I would choose Sleeping Beauty 🙂
I am now keeping batteries in a box in top of the closet.
we keep ours in a rubbermaid in a cabinet above our fridge
cars 🙂
We keep batteries in our closet on a high shelf
brich22 at earthlink dot net
Cars
I put them in a basket on top of my fridge.
We keep them locked up or out of reach,
we keep them in a high cabinet
We keep batteries and other items in a locked cabinet.
They are out of reach.
We keep them in a locked drawer that only adults can get into.
I have a battery box
I keep them in a plastic container with four latches.
I keep them in a lock box which is stored in a cabinet so high even I have to use a chair to reach it.
I would choose Sleeping Beauty.
we keep small batteries in locked cabinets 🙂