North Lanarkshire Council has pledged its support to a campaign promoting button battery safety.
The Harper Lee Foundation raises awareness of the risks to children from swallowing button batteries.
The charity was set up by the family of two-year-old Harper Lee Fanthorpe who tragically died after swallowing a small battery believed to be from a remote control.
Button batteries are found in a range of toys and household devices. If a lithium battery is swallowed, the energy reacts with saliva to create a substance like caustic soda.
This can burn through the food pipe to the main artery and cause internal bleeding and, potentially, death.
Seventeen-month-old Hugh McMahon from Motherwell also died after swallowing a button battery.
The council’s Environment and Climate Change Committee agreed to sign the charity’s pledge and help raise awareness of the dangers of button batteries as well as safety measures to prevent more injuries and deaths.
Committee convener, Councillor Helen Loughran, told Lanarkshire Live : “Button or coin cell batteries are commonly used in a wide range of everyday items, so it is very important that people are aware of the dangers they can pose to children if swallowed.
“By signing the Harper Lee Foundation pledge, we want to encourage people across North Lanarkshire to follow the advice to ensure these batteries are used safely.
"Keep them out of reach of children, make sure the battery compartment is closed securely, and dispose of used batteries safely, to protect both our children and the environment.”
If you think a child has swallowed a battery, take them immediately to A&E or call 999 for an ambulance. If possible, take the packaging, toy or gadget to help staff identify the battery.
Paul Bannister, Protective Services Manager, added: “Trading Standards monitor products on sale in the UK to make sure they comply with strict safety regulations.
“Work here in North Lanarkshire recently resulted in products being recalled and withdrawn from sale because of safety problems with the battery compartments and the safety advice on packaging.
“Any residents with concerns about the safety of a product can report it to our Trading Standards Service through Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or online.”
More information on button batteries is available from the Child Accident Prevention Trust at www.capt.org.uk/button-batteries-understanding-the-risks
*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
