KOMO investigation into button batteries gets national attention
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SEATTLE -- Last fall, the Problem Solvers warned the public about a deadly threat in nearly every home: button batteries.
Today, the KOMO News investigation got national attention with Energizer battery and Kids Safe USA sounding the alarm about these coin-sized threats.
Thirteen-month-old Aidan Truett of Ohio went into cardiac arrest and died. Two-year-old Elena Redding of Colorado bled to death.
And 13-month-old Kylen Carrillo of Washington was air lifted to Harborview Medical Center, clinging to life.
"We could see he was going downhill," said parent Patrick Carrillo.
"It was terrifying that night," added his wife Shanwa Carrillo. "We thought we were going to lose him."
And all because of something found in nearly ever home, a coin-sized lithium battery called a button battery. They're used in a number of products from remote controls and bathroom scales to key chains and PDAs.
A button battery combined with saliva can trigger a chemical reaction and burn a hole in a child's esophagus in as little as two hours.
After the Problem Solvers investigation revealed the dangers, battery-maker Energizer and Kids Safe USA launched the national safety campaign thebatterycontrolled.com. Button batteries are blamed for deaths of 15 kids and injuries of 3,400 others last year alone.
"We are committed to saving children from injury and from saving their lives ultimately," said Stacey Harbour of Energizer.
The campaign's website warns parents to pledge to keep button batteries out of the reach of children. And the KOMO News report is featured in the new public service announcement.
The solution may be to secure battery compartments on all electronics.
"They're not regulated today in terms of secure doors, and we need to work together to achieve that goal as well," Harbour said.
The boy from Washington who swallowed a button battery survived and is doing well. His parents are thrilled with the campaign as they worry most about parents who never heard of this lethal risk.
Today, the KOMO News investigation got national attention with Energizer battery and Kids Safe USA sounding the alarm about these coin-sized threats.
Thirteen-month-old Aidan Truett of Ohio went into cardiac arrest and died. Two-year-old Elena Redding of Colorado bled to death.
And 13-month-old Kylen Carrillo of Washington was air lifted to Harborview Medical Center, clinging to life.
"We could see he was going downhill," said parent Patrick Carrillo.
"It was terrifying that night," added his wife Shanwa Carrillo. "We thought we were going to lose him."
And all because of something found in nearly ever home, a coin-sized lithium battery called a button battery. They're used in a number of products from remote controls and bathroom scales to key chains and PDAs.
A button battery combined with saliva can trigger a chemical reaction and burn a hole in a child's esophagus in as little as two hours.
After the Problem Solvers investigation revealed the dangers, battery-maker Energizer and Kids Safe USA launched the national safety campaign thebatterycontrolled.com. Button batteries are blamed for deaths of 15 kids and injuries of 3,400 others last year alone.
"We are committed to saving children from injury and from saving their lives ultimately," said Stacey Harbour of Energizer.
The campaign's website warns parents to pledge to keep button batteries out of the reach of children. And the KOMO News report is featured in the new public service announcement.
The solution may be to secure battery compartments on all electronics.
"They're not regulated today in terms of secure doors, and we need to work together to achieve that goal as well," Harbour said.
The boy from Washington who swallowed a button battery survived and is doing well. His parents are thrilled with the campaign as they worry most about parents who never heard of this lethal risk.
