Physical & product hazards
Button & coin batteries: risks and product recalls in Ireland
Small, shiny batteries that are a serious swallowing hazard for young children and a common reason toys and gadgets are recalled.
What it is
Button and coin batteries are the small round batteries used in toys, remote controls, key fobs, lights and novelty items. Recalls are issued when a product's battery compartment is too easy for a child to open, or the battery is otherwise accessible.
Health effects
If a child swallows a button battery, it can react with saliva and burn through the throat or gut in as little as two hours, causing severe internal injuries that can be fatal. A battery lodged in the nose or ear is also dangerous. Symptoms can be vague — drooling, coughing, chest pain, refusing food — so injuries are easily missed.
How it leads to a recall
Products are recalled when the battery compartment is not secured (for example, it opens without a tool or screw), breaching safety standards. Cheap electronics and toys sold on online marketplaces are a frequent source.
What to do
Keep products with accessible button batteries away from young children and return recalled items. If you suspect a child has swallowed a button battery, treat it as an emergency: go straight to the emergency department or call 112/999 — do not wait for symptoms, and do not make them eat or drink unless told to.
Recent Button & coin batteries recalls
18 recalls we track mention button & coin batteries, newest first.
SHEIN recalls Robot Fish Bath Toy Set due to choking and chemical risk
SHEIN is recalling the Robot Fish Bath Toy Set sold on its marketplace due to a risk of choking and chemical hazards. The battery compartment can be easily opened, allowing small children access to button batteries, which poses a choking risk and potential gastrointestinal damage.
Misco Sports Light-Up Racket Sets recalled due to choking and chemical risk
TJX Ireland Unlimited Company t/a TK Maxx and Homesense is recalling Misco Sports Light-Up Racket Sets due to a chemical and choking risk. The battery compartment screw may detach, allowing children access to button batteries, which can pose a choking hazard and harm the digestive tract if swallowed.
SHEIN recalls fidget spinner ballpoint pen with LED light due to choking risk
SHEIN is recalling the Fidget Spinner Ballpoint Pen with LED Light sold on their marketplace due to a risk of choking and burns. The product may allow children to access button/coin batteries, which can be swallowed. Approximately 15 affected products are in the Republic of Ireland.
SHEIN recalls LED light-up ballpoint pen due to choking and chemical risk
SHEIN is recalling an LED Light-Up Ballpoint Pen sold by Yiwu Jushi Wushuang E-commerce Co., Ltd. due to a chemical and choking risk. The battery compartment can be easily opened, making button cell batteries accessible to children, which poses a risk of swallowing.
Whitecrane recalls button batteries sold on Temu platform due to choking risk
WHITECRANE is recalling Button Batteries sold on the TEMU platform due to a chemical and choking risk. The packaging is not childproof, making the batteries accessible to children, which could lead to choking or harm if swallowed.
Wish children's light-up wristwatch recalled due to choking and chemical risks
A safety issue has been identified with the Children’s Light-Up Wristwatch sold on the Wish platform due to chemical and choking hazards. The battery compartment can be easily opened, allowing access to button batteries, which pose a choking risk. Additionally, the product contains high levels of phthalates that can harm children's health.
Interactive luminous snail toy recalled due to choking, burns, and chemical risks
The Interactive luminous snail toy sold on the TEMU platform is being recalled due to safety issues including choking, burns, and chemical hazards. The toy has small parts that can detach and an easily opened battery compartment, posing risks to children. The model number is RS-9024 C.
Temu LED Tutu recalled due to burns, choking, and chemical hazards
The LED Tutu sold on the TEMU platform is recalled due to safety issues that pose risks of burns, chemical exposure, and choking. The button batteries are accessible, which could be swallowed by children, and the costume may catch fire quickly. The model number is CF-001-CS and the batch number is 230758.
Children's Simulation Bus Phone Toy recalled due to choking and chemical risks
The Children’s Simulation Bus Phone Toy sold on eBay is recalled due to choking and chemical hazards. Small parts may detach and the battery compartment can be easily opened, posing risks to children. The model number is ZH1411.
Temu LED spinning top recalled due to chemical hazard from button batteries
A safety issue has been identified with a LED spinning top sold on the TEMU platform due to accessible button batteries, which pose a chemical risk. Children may swallow the batteries, potentially causing gastrointestinal damage.
Projection Flashlight recalled due to choking risk and damage to sight
A safety issue has been identified with the Projection Flashlight sold on the Wish platform due to risks of chemical exposure, choking, and damage to sight. The battery compartment can be easily opened, making button batteries accessible to children, and the LED beam intensity is too powerful. The model number is 8812.
Toys Amsterdam recalls 2-Play Construction Truck due to choking risk from batteries
Toys Amsterdam is recalling the 2-Play Construction Truck due to a risk of injury. The toy can break during use, making button batteries accessible, which can be swallowed by children and lead to serious injury. The brand is 2-Play.
Lexibook Harry Potter LED torch projectors recalled due to choking and sight damage risk
LEXIBOOK is recalling Harry Potter LED torch projectors due to choking hazards from button batteries that may fall out and excessive light that could damage eyesight. All batches are affected.
LiCB CR2025 lithium button batteries recalled due to choking and chemical risk
LiCB CR2025-Lithium Button Batteries sold on Amazon are recalled due to a chemical and choking risk. The packaging can be easily opened, making the batteries accessible to children, which could lead to choking or digestive damage if swallowed.
Early Childhood Education Flashlight recalled due to choking and chemical risk
An Early Childhood Education Flashlight sold on the AliExpress platform is recalled due to choking and chemical hazards. The battery compartment can be easily opened, allowing access to button batteries that pose a risk to children. The model number is LP12145622LAN.
Diyife Tea Lights recalled due to choking and chemical burn hazards
Diyife Tea Lights sold on the Amazon platform are recalled due to choking and injury hazards. The button batteries can be swallowed by young children, leading to choking and potential chemical burns.
LED Flashing Ornaments recalled due to choking risk from unsecured battery compartment
LED Flashing Ornaments sold on Amazon are recalled due to a choking hazard. The battery compartment is not secured, allowing easy access to button cell batteries that can be swallowed by young children. Approximately 18 affected products were sold in the Republic of Ireland.
Clarks Vibrant children's shoe range recalled due to ingestion hazard from toys
Clarks is recalling the Vibrant children’s shoe range due to a risk of injuries from toys that can break and pose ingestion hazards. The affected models include various Vibrant Trail and Glow styles with specific product codes. Customers should remove the toy from the shoe to ensure safety.
Official sources
This page is general information, not medical advice. Always follow the official recall notice, and contact your GP, pharmacist or the HSE if you are worried about your health. In an emergency call 112 or 999.