May 7, 2026, 2:02 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
For years, the number of swallowed batteries has been steadily increasing. It’s no surprise, as more and more devices rely on small button cells–including Apple’s AirTags. For parents, this is a real nightmare, as even tiny lithium cells can cause severe injuries in a short time and even lead to death. Now, the manufacturer Energizer has finally found a solution for child-safe batteries.
Button Cells Extremely Dangerous for Children
According to Energizer, 3,500 button cells are swallowed annually in the U.S.–mainly by children between 0 and 6 years old. The number of incidents has significantly increased over the past ten years. With the growing prevalence of battery-powered devices, the number of reported cases has increased about ninefold. While there are no separate figures for Europe (or Germany), based on a Dutch study, thousands to tens of thousands of cases are likely to occur here as well.
Button cells are used in numerous devices, including remote controls, Bluetooth trackers, car keys, and–most notably–children’s toys. The most common variants have a diameter of 20 millimeters (e.g., CR2016, CR2025, and CR2032), which roughly matches the width of a small child’s esophagus. The batteries can easily get stuck and cause burns within 15 minutes, potentially leading to death within a few hours.
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Energizer Has the Solution
To protect children, Energizer is introducing new “Ultimate Child Shield” button cells. This safety solution consists of four protective layers:
- child-resistant packaging
- non-toxic bitter coating
- Color Alert
- protection against burns
Child-resistant packaging is now standard, and other manufacturers like Duracell already use a non-toxic, extremely bitter coating (often Bitrex, the world’s most bitter substance) to deter children from button cells. Color Alert, on the other hand, is a relatively new protection mechanism that turns the mouth blue within seconds when the battery comes into contact with saliva. This allows parents or caregivers to react quickly and seek help.
Also of interest: These battery regulations are now in effect–and planned for the future
“Ultimate Child Shield” products are the first button cells designed, according to the manufacturer, to prevent burns if swallowed. This aims to completely eliminate the central risk associated with their use:
“As 20-mm lithium button cells power more of our devices, it is crucial to eliminate the risk of ingestion burns if one of these batteries is swallowed by a child. Energizer Ultimate Child Shield does just that–it’s a revolutionary technology that eliminates the risk of ingestion burns.”
Lori Shambro, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Energizer
Result of Years of Research
Energizer has been working for some time to protect children from button cells. In 2023, the manufacturer, together with Reese’s Purpose, introduced the first “3-in-1 Child Shield” button cells with Color Alert. Reese, an 18-month-old girl from Texas, died in December 2020 from a swallowed button cell from a remote control. A law known as Reese’s Law has required battery manufacturers in the U.S. to use child-resistant packaging since 2022. A similar law was passed in the EU in 2023.
The new “Ultimate Child Shield” batteries, according to Energizer, are a development based on years of research. They now completely prevent burns like in the case of little Reese, making everyday use significantly more worry-free for parents.
Thank You, Energizer!
“As a father of two small children, I am a prime customer for Energizer’s ‘Ultimate Child Shield.’ I try to avoid button cells wherever possible. I keep them on the top shelf and in a locked box. Yet, they are still common in some remote controls, AirTags, and especially in toys (WHY?!). I even replace button cells in some toys with battery packs using AA cells, which I solder together–just for some peace of mind.
I can only thank Energizer for this innovation and hope other manufacturers follow suit. The number of cases shows that this significantly reduces the potential danger for children in everyday life. There is nothing more important.”