Many children are anxious to receive the toys they've been asking for all year, but a children's hospital in Pennsylvania says parents need to be careful about what they put under the tree.
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh says parents need to be wary of small, disc-shaped button batteries in toys, household electronics, including watches cameras and games, and even in singing or flashing greeting cards.
The batteries may look like candy to a child, but if swallowed, the battery may stick in the throat or stomach, causing life-threatening burns and tissue damage as the chemicals leak out. Severe burns can occur in as little as two hours after swallowing.
If you suspect your child has swallowed a button battery, seek immediate medical attention even before symptoms appear. Symptoms may include coughing, drooling, trouble swallowing and fever.
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh says parents need to be wary of small, disc-shaped button batteries in toys, household electronics, including watches cameras and games, and even in singing or flashing greeting cards.
The batteries may look like candy to a child, but if swallowed, the battery may stick in the throat or stomach, causing life-threatening burns and tissue damage as the chemicals leak out. Severe burns can occur in as little as two hours after swallowing.
If you suspect your child has swallowed a button battery, seek immediate medical attention even before symptoms appear. Symptoms may include coughing, drooling, trouble swallowing and fever.
Charlotte Ames is the area's only local Health Reporter and brings you the latest medical health news weeknights. You can catch Healthcast on WTAJ News at 5:00pm and her Health Headlines report on WTAJ News at 5:30pm.