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New Batteries Pack Bitter Coating to Deter Swallowing
14 Sep
Summary
- Energizer's new batteries feature a bitter coating to discourage ingestion.
- Reese's Law aimed to improve button battery safety after a child's death.
- Advanced protection includes child-resistant packaging and no-burn technology.
Energizer's new Ultimate Child Shield batteries offer multi-layered protection against the dangers of accidental button cell ingestion. The packaging is designed to be difficult to open without tools, and if a child manages to access a battery, a bitter coating on the cell discourages swallowing.
These safety features build upon Reese's Law, enacted in December 2020 following the death of 18-month-old Reese Hamsmith. The law mandated child-resistant battery enclosures and packaging, yet pediatric button cell injuries have continued to rise.
Should a battery be swallowed, Energizer's innovation includes a no-burn technology using a special titanium alloy. This alloy reacts with bodily fluids to reduce the electrical current that causes life-threatening internal burns. The CR2032 size, common in devices like AirTags, is available, alongside CR2016 and CR2025 variants.
