 Button Cell or Coin Batteries Danger. The consequences of a child swallowing a battery can be immediate and deadly. A button cell or coin battery can burn through a child's throat or suffagus in as little as two hours if swallowed. Nearly a dozen children under five years old died from ingesting button cell or coin batteries from 2017 through 2021. Approximately 5,200 button cell or coin cell battery ingestions were treated in emergency rooms in 2021 for children under five years old. Safeguard children for poisonings by taking control of button cell or coin batteries. Tips. Keep products with accessible batteries away from children if the battery compartments do not have a screw closure to secure them. If the battery compartment is damaged, repair, replace, or dispose of the product as soon as possible. Check the toys in your home to make sure battery compartments are secured. Do not allow children to play with or be in contact with button cell or coin batteries. Call Poison Health 800-222-1222 immediately if a child swallows or is exposed to batteries. Poison awareness and control is for everyone.