The tragic passing of an Oklahoma toddler is shedding light on the terrible dangers that small button batteries pose to children and pets.
Two-year-old Brianna Florer spent a wonderful Christmas with her siblings opening presents at her grandparents’ home. It was the “perfect Christmas” according to her grandfather, Kent Vice. But just two days later, she was dead.
The Oklahoman reports that Brianna was running a low-grade fever for a couple of days prior and throwing up. But on Sunday, the toddler was rushed to hospital after she vomited blood and her skin turned blue.
An X-ray revealed that a silver button lithium battery was the cause.
“They operated on her for two-and-a-half hours, but they couldn’t stop the bleeding. They believed the battery ate through to her carotid artery by way of her esophagus,” Vice said. “One minute she is perfect, and the next minute she is dead. We had no idea when she swallowed (the battery).”
Coin lithium batteries such as the one Brianna ingested are increasingly common in many household devices, electronic devices and toys. They can be found in mini remote controls, small calculators, watches, remote keyless entry, flameless candles, singing greeting cards and other electronics.
