Easter Gift Warning: Deadly Button Batteries Pose Serious Risk to Young Children

As Easter approaches and families prepare to celebrate with festive gifts and decorations, authorities are issuing a crucial warning to parents: beware of hidden dangers lurking in seemingly innocent items.
Tiny, coin-sized button batteries — commonly found in toys, gadgets, and decorative items — could be potentially fatal if swallowed, especially by children under the age of five. These batteries are small enough to be easily ingested, and when they come into contact with saliva, they can trigger a dangerous chemical reaction that burns through tissue, causing life-threatening internal injuries.
Queensland Attorney-General Deb Frecklington has emphasized the urgency of the warning.
“Button batteries may be small, but the harm they can cause is massive,” Frecklington stated. “Young children are naturally curious, and it only takes a second for a tragedy to occur. We urge parents to be extra cautious when selecting Easter gifts and decorations.”
The risk isn’t just theoretical — around 20 children are admitted to hospitals across Australia each week due to suspected button battery ingestion, according to the Office of Fair Trading.
In response, the Office is ramping up inspections, cracking down on non-compliant retailers, and spreading awareness to help ensure children’s safety. Mandatory standards are being strictly enforced to reduce the presence of unsecure battery compartments in children’s products.
As Easter excitement builds, parents are urged to check products thoroughly, avoid items with easily accessible batteries, and keep hazardous items out of children’s reach.