On International Button Battery Awareness Day, FISPGHAN affirms its global commitment to preventing pediatric injuries caused by button battery ingestion.

Button batteries may be small, but the damage they can cause in children who swallow them can be devastating. Ingestion can lead to serious—and sometimes fatal—injuries in just a matter of hours. On June 12, we join with a global network of pediatric gastroenterologists, surgeons, otolaryngologists, emergency physicians, pediatricians and other child health advocates to promote awareness, education, and rapid response across all regions of the world.

Button batteries are found in many common household items:
🔋 Remote controls
🔋 Thermometers
🔋 Toys
🔋 Watches
🔋 Hearing aids
🔋 Car key fobs

Children often swallow them without anyone noticing until symptoms appear—and by then, damage may already be done.

FISPGHAN’s strategy to creating awareness around the dangers of button battery ingestion is rooted in collaboration and global reach. Working through its member societies, FISPGHAN is launching a multilingual, multi-platform campaign to foster education around button battery hazards, encourage prevention in homes and communities, and promote clinical readiness for rapid treatment.

Our campaign goals are to:
- Promote public awareness of the dangers of button battery ingestion.
- Empower pediatric providers with the latest guidelines for emergency response and safe removal.
- Collaborate with member societies to disseminate content across social media, clinics, and national associations.
- Share evidence-based resources and country-specific messaging to improve local impact.
- Encourage cross-sector partnerships with advocacy organizations, poison centers, and government agencies to advance policy and safety regulations.

Together, we believe we can save lives through unified action and education.

FISPGHAN is committed to protecting children everywhere from preventable gastrointestinal injury and death from button battery ingestions. On June 12, 2025, we stand with our member societies around the world in calling for:
- Increased vigilance in homes and clinics
- Better product safety standards and battery compartment design
- Rapid action when ingestion is suspected
- Global education efforts to prevent future harm

Together, we can make button battery awareness not just a day—but a lasting movement in pediatric safety.
Let’s protect children. Let’s act now.

For Parents & Caregivers:

• Keep all button batteries out of children’s reach.

• Use child-safe packaging and secure battery compartments in devices.

• Dispose of used batteries immediately and safely.

• If you suspect a child has swallowed a button battery:

  • Seek emergency help right away.

  • If the child is over 1 year old and ingestion occurred within 12 hours, give 2 teaspoons (10ml) of honey every 10 minutes en route to the ER.

For Pediatric Providers:

• Educate families during well-child visits.

• Advocate for child-safe designs and battery packaging.

• Share clinical guidance on radiographic identification and urgent removal protocols.