Safety regulators have long expressed concern about the potential risks to children posed by AirTags’ easily opened battery compartment. It is not uncommon for children to swallow objects similar in size and shape to candy – such as used button batteries – and this can potentially cause life-threatening injuries…
Consumer protection organizations have issued warnings about these risks as early as 2021.
The ACCC is concerned that the AirTag’s battery compartment may be accessible to young children and that the button cell battery may be easily removed. Additionally, the AirTag battery compartment cover does not always close completely when closing, and a distinctive sound is emitted when an AirTag’s cover is closed, suggesting that the cover is secure when it may not be.
As we noted at the time, the most dangerous scenario is for the battery to become lodged in a child’s throat and then leak. Lithium can cause catastrophic bleeding, which can be fatal in just two hours.
Apple responded by adding warning symbols and statements inside the battery compartment, case, and Find My app.
A new series of Energizer Ultimate Child Shield batteries has been announced, which the company claims completely eliminates the risk of esophageal burns. This includes the CR2032 batteries used in AirTags.
Energizer Ultimate Child Shield is the world’s only lithium coin cell battery that prevents ingestion burns if swallowed. Our no-burn technology eliminates the risk of esophageal burns.
The company says the new batteries have three other safety features:
- Child-resistant packaging
- A non-toxic bitter coating to encourage children to spit out batteries
- A coating that visibly tints the mouth blue in seconds to alert parents and guardians
The video below tells the story of a child who swallowed a button battery before the new line launched, and you can buy Child Shield batteries on Amazon.
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