Don’t put bad eggs in your basket this Easter

Being aware of the dangers lurking in everyday household items could prevent an unwanted gift of a trip to hospital this Easter.

Tragically, in Australia, one child a month is seriously injured after swallowing or inserting a button battery, with some of them sustaining lifelong injuries.

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is reminding families to be vigilant when gifting or receiving toys, novelties, and electronic devices this Easter, as they could contain button batteries.

New mandatory safety standards came into effect in Australia in 2022 requiring button batteries to be housed in a child-resistant compartment.

Ensure you are only purchasing button batteries products that require a screwdriver or tool to open the battery compartment. Compartments must be secured with a child-resistant locking mechanism or require two independent and simultaneous movements to access the batteries.

Always keep button batteries out of reach of children and when removing or replacing button batteries, ensure you wrap them in sticky tape and dispose of them quickly and safely. It’s important to be aware that old button batteries can still contain enough charge to pose a threat.

Find more product safety tips on the Office of Fair Trading website by visiting https://www.qld.gov.au/law/fair-trading.

Quotes attributed to Acting Fair Trading Commissioner David McKarzel:

“Button batteries are a focal point for regulators across Australia.

“The recent tragic incident involving a toddler in Mackay who swallowed a button battery is a stark reminder of the risks involved with these items.

“Potentially deadly button batteries are hidden inside a multitude of household products and consumers should be aware of the risks.

“It’s also vital that industry is doing everything to prevent any further injuries.”