Button Battery Safety

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:33): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Business Services and Consumers a question about button battery safety.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: We know that young children can be adventurous and love to explore, and when they find something new one of the first things they do is put it in their mouth. Will the minister inform the council about the inaugural International Awareness Week for Button Battery Safety?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (15:33): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. I am very pleased to be able to report that Consumer and Business Services, as the state's consumer watchdog, is jumping on board with the inaugural International Awareness Week for Button Battery Safety, which is taking place this week from 16 to 20 June 2014. This awareness week is a very worthwhile reminder to all South Australian parents about the dangers of children ingesting button batteries in particular.

These batteries are a very commonly found battery in most households, including in things like children's toys, calculators, small remote controls and other small electronics—the sorts of items we see regularly lying around coffee tables and lounge room chairs. These are often accessible to small children who like to play with these and dismantle the battery and, as the Hon. John Gazzola mentioned, the first thing they like to do is pop it in their mouth.

These button batteries are quite small. They are made of lithium which makes a dangerous combination for children who are tempted to put them in their mouth. If the battery becomes stuck in the child's throat, this can result in severe burns or choking. When a coin-sized lithium button battery becomes stuck in a child's throat, I am advised that the saliva can trigger an electrical current and that can cause a chemical reaction that can severely burn the oesophagus in as little as two hours. Symptoms of the coin-sized button battery ingestion may be similar to other childhood illnesses such as coughing, drooling and discomfort. Once burning begins, damage can continue even though the battery has been removed.

In 2012-13 eight children aged 10 years and under were admitted to the Women's and Children's Hospital paediatric emergency department in relation to swallowing or choking on a button battery. Incidents involving these button batteries are most common amongst children and toddlers, with the majority of cases involving children three years or under.

I urge all parents and carers of children to follow some very simple tips in order to help keep children safe from button battery related injuries. I urge parents and carers to ensure that these batteries are kept out of sight and out of reach from children in a securely locked location, and when these batteries are required in a household device parents should ensure that the battery compartment is firmly secure. Parents should also be reminded to periodically check the battery compartments of devices to ensure that they remain firmly secure. As soon as batteries have finished being used, it is important that they are disposed of immediately and securely, as even flat batteries can still be hazardous. If you suspect that your child has ingested a button battery, it is very important that they not be allowed to eat or drink nor induce vomiting. They should be immediately taken to the nearest hospital emergency department.

International awareness week for button battery safety is a great opportunity to share life-saving information with caregivers, friends, family members and babysitters, and I urge all those with small children to exercise caution to prevent incidents with button batteries. If people are interested, there is more information online on productsafety.gov.au.