South Australia’s leading consumer protection agency, Consumer and Business Services (CBS), has issued an urgent warning to parents following reports of potentially hazardous light-up rings being distributed to trick or treaters.
The alarm was raised by a concerned family from Adelaide’s inner north-eastern suburbs who reported that these illuminated rings, available for purchase online, might contain button batteries that can easily become dislodged.
Given the widespread availability of these toys online, the warning extends to parents across the state.
As a result, Minister Michaels has published a safety warning notice, warning of the risks associated with the toys and advising parents of what to do.
Parents are encouraged to check any toys their children received and safely dispose of items powered by unsecured button batteries.
These small, flat batteries pose a significant risk. National estimates suggest that around 20 emergency department visits each week are related to the ingestion or insertion of button batteries.
The dangers of button batteries extend beyond choking hazards. If swallowed, these batteries can become lodged in a child’s throat, triggering a chemical reaction that can burn through tissue, leading to severe internal bleeding.
CBS urges anyone with concerns about the safety of products to reach out at 131 882. Parents who fear their child might have ingested a button battery should immediately contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26. In cases where a child exhibits breathing difficulties, dialling 000 is imperative.
Quotes attributable to Andrea Michaels
While investigations are still underway, a report of unsecured button batteries being given to children in our community is very concerning.
I‘m sure that whoever was handing this out on Halloween assumed they were simply an innocuous novelty toy, and they are widely available for purchase online, but the fact is they pose a significant safety risk.
Small children especially could be seriously injured if they swallow a button battery.
That is why there are mandatory standards in place requiring warnings for any toys that contain button batteries, as well as ensuring the battery compartment is secured by a screw or similar fastener so the batteries are not easily accessed by children.
Quotes attributable to Commissioner Dini Soulio
To date, we have not seen products of this nature – or received reports of them – at bricks and mortar stores around South Australia.
However, they are available through online marketplaces, where people will often shop for cheap Halloween novelties.
We will now work to ensure products like this that are available locally meet the mandatory standards that are in place to protect small children from harm or injury.
Minister Andrea Michaels says that, while investigations are still underway, a report of unsecured button batteries being given to children in our community is very concerning.
“I‘m sure that whoever was handing this out on Halloween assumed they were simply an innocuous novelty toy, and they are widely available for purchase online, but the fact is they pose a significant safety risk.”
“Small children especially could be seriously injured if they swallow a button battery.”
“That is why there are mandatory standards in place requiring warnings for any toys that contain button batteries, as well as ensuring the battery compartment is secured by a screw or similar fastener so the batteries are not easily accessed by children.”
Commissioner Dini Soulio said “To date, we have not seen products of this nature – or received reports of them – at bricks and mortar stores around South Australia.”
“However, they are available through online marketplaces, where people will often shop for cheap Halloween novelties.”
“We will now work to ensure products like this that are available locally meet the mandatory standards that are in place to protect small children from harm or injury.”
For a detailed look at the warning notice, please visit CBS Warning Notice.
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