Energizer has announced a new line of lithium coin-cell batteries that it claims are the world’s first to eliminate the risk of burns when swallowed. The Ultimate Child Shield line includes three sizes available today – 2032, 2025 and 2016 – which are commonly used in devices such as remote controls, wearables and trackers like Apple’s AirTags
See also: CATL: Sodium batteries are ready for the market
Most swallowed batteries pass through the body's digestive system without causing any harm. However, if one gets stuck in the esophagus, there is a risk of more than just choking. When the battery comes into contact with saliva, it can create an electrical current, causing chemical reactions that lead to alkaline tissue burns, which can cause life-threatening injuries within hours.
See also: What the future holds for EV batteries in 2026
Today's announcement doesn't go into details about how Energizer's new Ultimate Child Shield line prevents swallowed batteries from generating current and the resulting dangerous chemical reactions, but it works alongside a few other safety measures already available on other Energizer batteries. In addition to the child-resistant packaging, the coin-cell batteries are coated with a bittering agent (similar to what's found in Nintendo Switch cartridges) to deter swallowing and with a food coloring that turns blue when it comes into contact with saliva, indicating that a battery may have been swallowed.
See also: Foxconn to invest $510 million in southern Taiwan
While Energizer states that the risk of serious or life-threatening burns from ingestion has been eliminated, it still recommends immediate medical attention “in all cases of battery ingestion,” even if you simply suspect that a child or pet (the dye works on cats and dogs too) has swallowed one.
