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News - Clarian Health Partners, Indianapolis Indiana USA |
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| Blackford County Hospital |
| Don’t let ‘button batteries’ ruin your holidays, child’s health |
| Date : - 21/12/2010 |
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INDIANAPOLIS-One of the biggest threats to your child's safety this holiday season is actually one of the smallest things in your home. Coin-sized alkaline or lithium "button batteries" are becoming increasingly common in hearing aids, watches and electronic toys and, similarly, are increasingly showing up in children's bodies when they visit the emergency room during the holiday season.
According to the National Capital Poison Center, in 1990, just 1 percent of all small 20-millimeter-sized batteries were made of lithium; that figure is now up to 18-20 percent. In addition, more than 3,500 people visit poison centers annually because they’ve ingested button batteries. The threat, according to the center and Riley Hospital for Children's Dr. Joseph O'Neil, MD, is such batteries can damage the lining of the esophagus, stomach or intestines and cause perforations in children’s intestines, or even burn holes in their esophaguses, which can lead to death.
O’Neil added there are things parents can do to ensure their children receive safe – but still fun – toys this holiday season.
"Look for those toys that don’t have easy-to-remove batteries," O'Neil said. "Kids are curious – they're going to take the batteries out and there's the risk they may swallow them, which could cause a lot of problems. The holiday season is not when you want to spend hours in an emergency room."
Parents should avoid giving their children toys with button batteries branded with the numbers 2016, 2025 and 2032, as those account for more than 90 percent of serious injuries.
Toy safety doesn’t stop with just picking the right kinds of batteries. O'Neil and Cara Fast, manager of the Riley Safety Store, have several other tips to ensure your family has a fun and safe holiday season:
With stuffed animals, make sure the eyes are on tight and the seams lack any holes where stuffing could pop out and accidentally wind up in a child’s mouth.
Avoid toys with projectiles; one of the most common emergency room visits at Riley during the holidays is due to wayward toys striking children in their eyes.
Look at boxes for recommended age ranges and to see if the toys are non-toxic.
To prevent both burns and electrical shocks, don’t give young children (under age ten) a toy that must be plugged into an electrical outlet. Instead, buy toys that are battery-operated.
Children under age three can choke on small parts contained in toys or games. Government regulations specify that toys for children under age three cannot have parts less than 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/4 inches long.
Avoid strangulation hazards. Avoid toys with strings or cords that can get wrapped around a child’s neck or wrists. As a rule, strings and cords must not be more than 12 inches in length.
Avoid toys made from thin, brittle plastic that can easily break. Choose toys that have smooth, rounded edges rather than sharp edges or corners.
Adults should always supervise children while they are playing! Choking is the leading cause of toy-related deaths.
Toys or toy parts that fit in the cardboard tube from a roll of toilet paper are too small for young children.Remind older children to check with an adult before giving their toys to younger brothers and sisters. Small toy pieces that may pose a choking hazard to young children should be kept out of their reach.
"Keep these toy safety tips in mind and exercise caution when buying toys for children," Fast said. "Adult supervision of children during play is key in helping to prevent accidental toy-related injuries."
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| Reference : - www.clarian.org |
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