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A Mother’s Urgent Plea: The Hidden Dangers of Button batteries
In October 2023, Kasey Allen’s Life Took An unexpected Turn When Her Then-16-Month-Old Son, Asa, Accidentally Swallowed A Button Battery. Now, She Is Using her Platform On Tiktok To Raise Awareness About This Silent Threat Lurking In Many Households.
Allen Was Tidying Up Her Rv While Her Children Played Nearby. Unbeknownst To Her, Asa Grabbed The Remote For The Backup Camera, And In A Blink, The Battery Fell Out And Into His Mouth.
The Terrifying Symptoms
Shortly After, Asa Began Exhibiting Alarming Symptoms: Excessive Salivation, A Flushed Face, And Irritability. Fatigue Soon Followed. Allen Initially Didn’t Connect These Signs To Button Battery Ingestion, As She Was Unaware Of The Battery In The Remote.
As Asa’s Condition Worsened, He Started Coughing Up Black Flakes – The Outer Covering Of The Battery. A trip To The Er Confirmed Allen’s Worst Fears: Asa Had Swallowed A Button Battery.
The Children’s Hospital Of Philadelphia Reports That Over 3,500 Button Batteries Are Ingested Annually In The Us. These Small Batteries Can Cause Severe Burns And Internal Damage When Saliva Triggers An Electrical Current, Leading To Esophageal Perforation And Vocal Cord Paralysis.
The Long Road To Recovery
Allen Describes The Recovery Process As “Long, Disappointing, Expensive, Exhausting,” And Heartbreaking. Asa Endured Weeks Of Iv Nutrition,Frequent Hospital Visits,And Difficulties With Eating And Swallowing For Months.
Sharing Their journey On Tiktok, allen’s Video Of asa’s 27th Dilation Treatment Went Viral, Reaching Millions. Miraculously, After Seeking A Second Opinion, Asa Showed Zero Scarred Tissue In His Esophagus Following Four Treatments At A New Facility.
Since February, Asa Has Not Needed Feeds Through His G-Tube And Is Growing stronger Every day. Allen Aims To Educate Others About The Risks Of Button Batteries Through Her Story.
Protecting Your Children: What You Need To Know
Allen Urges Parents To Be Vigilant About Electronics Containing Button batteries And To Ensure They Are Secured With Screws, As Mandated By Reese’s Law. Knowing The Signs Of Ingestion Is Also Crucial.
Pro Tip: If You Suspect Your Child Has Swallowed A Button Battery, Some Experts Recommend Giving Honey To Slow Down Corrosion. However, Seek Immediate Medical Attention.
Allen Chose Tiktok To Share Asa’s Story As Of Its Wide Reach. The Response Has Been Overwhelmingly Supportive, With Many Parents Expressing Gratitude For The Information.
Recognizing The Danger: Signs Of Button Battery Ingestion
According To Medical Professionals, Key Symptoms To Watch For Include:
- Noisy Breathing
- Coughing
- Drooling
- Difficulty Swallowing
- Hoarse Voice
- Vomiting
- Chest Or Abdominal Pain
- Gagging Or Choking While Eating Or Drinking
Immediate Action Is Critical If Your Child Exhibits Any Of These Symptoms.
Button Battery Safety: Practical Steps For Parents
Protecting Children From button Battery Ingestion Requires A Multi-Faceted Approach. Here Are Some Essential Steps:
- secure Battery Compartments: Ensure All electronics Have Battery Compartments Secured With Screws.
- Keep Batteries Out Of Reach: Store Loose Batteries In A Safe Place, Away From Children.
- Regularly Check Devices: Inspect Toys And Electronics Regularly For Damaged Or Missing Battery Covers.
- Be Aware Of Products: Identify Products In Your Home That Use Button Batteries And Take Extra Precautions.
- Educate Caregivers: Inform Babysitters, Grandparents, And Other Caregivers About the Dangers Of Button Batteries.
Button Battery Safety: Reese’s Law
Reese’s Law, Enacted To Prevent Injuries And Deaths From Button Batteries, Includes mandatory Safety Standards Such As Securing Battery Compartments And Labeling Requirements.
the Law Aims To Reduce The Risk Of Children Accessing And Swallowing These Batteries By Requiring Manufacturers To Implement Enhanced Safety Measures.
Recap: Key Differences Between Battery types And Risks
| Battery Type | Voltage | common Uses | Risk Level If Swallowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lithium button Battery | 3V |