If you’ve ever watched a toddler explore, you know that curiosity is their superpower. They pull open drawers, press every button, and seem to have a sixth sense for finding the one thing you hoped they wouldn’t touch. That unstoppable curiosity is what helps them learn about the world—but it can also put them at risk in ways we don’t always expect.
One of those hidden hazards? The small, shiny lithium coin batteries that quietly power many of our household gadgets. They’re easy to overlook because they’re everywhere: in remote controls, bathroom scales, thermometers, key fobs, even in singing greeting cards and string lights that make the holidays sparkle.
These batteries might not look dangerous, but if swallowed, they can cause life-threatening injuries in just a couple of hours. When a lithium coin battery becomes lodged in a child’s throat, it can create a chemical reaction that burns through tissue and leads to serious internal damage. Every year, emergency rooms treat hundreds of cases of children who accidentally ingest these small batteries. It’s a terrifying thought, but also one that awareness and prevention can change.
How Technology Is Making Homes Safer
Thankfully, innovation has caught up with the problem. Duracell has introduced new safety measures to help reduce the risk of accidental ingestions. The most important advancement is a non-toxic bitter coating, made with Bitrex®, known as the most bitter substance in the world. This coating is now applied to both sides of certain lithium coin batteries—specifically the CR2032, CR2025, and CR2016 sizes—to help discourage swallowing. It’s a small, smart layer of protection that can make a life-saving difference.
The safety improvements go beyond taste. Many batteries are now sold in child-secure packaging, designed to be nearly impossible to open without scissors. This prevents curious kids from getting into spare batteries left on countertops or in junk drawers. You’ll also find clear on-pack and on-cell warnings, reminding adults to handle and store batteries with care. These design updates might seem subtle, but together they reflect a shift toward proactive protection—a recognition that prevention begins long before an accident can happen.
A Home Safety Check, Made Simple
Because lithium coin batteries are tucked inside so many devices, a quick household sweep can be eye-opening. Start by scanning the rooms where your child plays most often. Remote controls, night lights, flameless candles, and small electronics often live within easy reach. Scales and thermometers are other common culprits.
Once you’ve identified which devices use coin batteries, check whether their compartments screw closed securely. If they don’t, seal them with a strong piece of tape or store those items out of reach. Even simple steps like moving a bathroom scale from the floor to a high shelf can prevent temptation.
When batteries run out, don’t toss them in a drawer or countertop dish. Keep both new and used batteries in a locked or elevated container until they can be recycled properly. Many hardware stores and community recycling programs accept them safely.
What Parents Can Do
Protecting kids from battery hazards doesn’t require overhauling your whole house—it just takes a bit of awareness and intention. Get down on your child’s level and look at the world from their perspective. What sparkly or button-filled objects might catch their attention? This simple shift in view often reveals potential risks we might miss standing up.
Next, take a few minutes to learn which of your household devices rely on lithium coin batteries and where they’re stored. If possible, choose replacements that include child safety features, such as bitter coating and secure packaging. And remember that prevention isn’t a solo effort. Talk to grandparents, babysitters, and caregivers about how to store and handle batteries safely, especially if your children spend time in multiple homes.
Raising awareness within your circle makes a bigger impact than you might think. When one parent shares what they’ve learned, others listen—and those small conversations can save lives.
Empowerment, Not Fear
Parenting is full of invisible worries. Some of them are unavoidable; others, like battery safety, are manageable once we know what to look for. Taking a few minutes to do a home battery check doesn’t just make your environment safer—it gives you confidence and peace of mind.
For an easy place to start, download and print the Power Safely Checklist. It offers practical reminders like securing compartments with tape, keeping loose batteries out of reach, and teaming up with friends and family to spread awareness.
