Button batteries in toys: what to do and what to check
By Lewis C. Based on NHS advice and GOV.UK alerts, checked 1 October 2026.
If you think your child has swallowed one
Go straight to A&E or call 999 and say it's a button battery. Don't let them eat or drink, and don't make them sick. Take the packaging if you can. Don't wait for symptoms: the damage can start within two hours.
Why they're so dangerous
Button batteries are the small, flat, round batteries in remote controls, light-up toys, musical cards and key fobs. If one gets stuck in a child's food pipe, it reacts with saliva and can burn through the tissue, causing internal bleeding. NHS guidance says this can happen in as little as two hours, and the Child Accident Prevention Trust says around two children a year in the UK have died after swallowing one. Great Ormond Street surgeons have said an active button battery would burn through a steak in 30 minutes.
How to check a toy
- The battery compartment should be secured, usually with a small screw. If you can pop the battery out with your fingers, so can a toddler.
- Check light-up and musical toys, novelty items and anything cheap from a market, discount shop or overseas seller.
- Store spares in a sealed container up high, and get dead ones out of the house and recycled quickly.
- Search the toy in our toy recall checker.
Toys pulled for button batteries
44 UK toy safety alerts since 2021 were for button batteries a child could get at. These are the most recent.
Misco Sports Light Up Racket Set
The product presents a risk of injuries and burns because it includes button batteries which are easily accessible.
ZF Mini Pet Remote Control Snail Toy sold via Amazon
The product presents a burns and injuries risk as the button batteries are accessible and could be placed in the mouth of a child during play.
ZF Innovation Remote Control Centipede Toy sold by Amazon
The product presents a serious risk of burns and injuries as the button batteries are easily accessible.
Doloowee Model Aircraft sold via Amazon
The product presents a chemical risk and a risk of choking as the button battery compartment of the product is not adequately secured and is easily accessible.
Happy Childhood Building Blocks Dolls House
The battery compartment for the lights can also be easily removed, which could lead to a child accessing the button batteries during use.
The product presents a chemical risk and risk of choking and injuries as the button cell batteries are easily accessible.
Retractable LED Glow Sticks sold via Joom
The product presents a high risk of choking and chemical burns as the button batteries supplied with the product can be removed without a tool.
Liuwazj Light Up Wand Sticks sold via Amazon
This product presents a serious risk of choking as the battery compartment of the product is not properly secured, allowing easy access to the button cell batteries.
The product presents a serious risk of choking and internal injuries as the button batteries are easily accessible.
Mikulala Flash Braid sold via Amazon
The battery compartment of the products is not secured by a screw, allowing easy access to the compartment and button cell batteries.
Afaiup LED Balloon Lights sold via Amazon
The product presents a serious risk of choking because it contains small button batteries with insufficient labelling.
Seaside Squad Flashing Rings (various characters) sold exclusively at Haven Holiday Parks
The product presents a chemical risk and risk of choking and injuries as the toy rings can come apart, allowing easy access to the button cell batteries inside.
See all 44 in the toy recall checker