Each year, the California Poison Control System (CPCS) helps Californians navigate nearly a quarter-million poison-related incidents, from medication mix-ups to life-threatening exposures. 

During this year’s National Poison Prevention Week (March 15-21), CPCS experts are using their platform to warn about an especially dangerous hazard hiding in many homes: the small, coin-shaped button batteries found in everyday items such as remote controls, key fobs, watches, toys, and musical greeting cards.

These tiny button batteries can cause devastating injuries if swallowed. Last year, CPCS, which is operated by the UCSF School of Pharmacy, handled 424 cases involving button batteries. Of those, 222 involved children ages 5 and younger. This group is most vulnerable to severe injury, often because caregivers may not realize ingestion has happened until symptoms appear. Another 143 cases involved adults ages 20 and older.

Helping families and clinicians across California

CPCS serves as a critical first line of defense for all types of poison control through its statewide 24-hour hotline, which handles hundreds of thousands of calls from across California each year. Trained pharmacists, physicians, and toxicology experts provide real-time guidance for families and clinicians facing potential poison exposures, answering questions and helping to determine the safest course of action for patients. 

In 2025, the system handled 245,914 total cases of poison control interventions, including 223,609 exposure cases and 22,305 informational calls. Most of these situations can be safely managed with expert guidance. In fact, 74.6% of cases did not require a visit to a health care facility, while 13.5% were treated at a facility and released. Another 5.1% required hospital admission, demonstrating how poison control specialists help determine when immediate medical care is absolutely necessary.

“People often call us because they are unsure of how toxic an exposure might be,” said Serena Huntington, PharmD ’11, DABAT, a CPCS managing director. “Our job is to quickly evaluate the risk and guide callers or clinicians toward the safest next step, whether that means monitoring symptoms at home or seeking emergency care right away.”

Why button batteries are especially dangerous

In October 2025, CPCS and Valley Children’s Healthcare launched a public safety campaign called “When Swallowing Hurts: Button Battery Ingestion is a Medical Emergency” with guidance and resources.
 
Button batteries pose a unique risk because they can cause severe internal burns within 30 minutes of ingestion. When lodged in the esophagus, the battery can generate an electrical current that produces caustic chemicals, rapidly damaging nearby tissue.

“Button batteries can release toxic metals and acids that burn holes in the mouth, throat, airways, stomach, and intestines,” said Rais Vohra, MD, medical director for the Fresno/Madera division of CPCS. “Ingesting a button battery is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.”

The batteries are particularly dangerous for children under 5, who are naturally curious and often drawn to small, shiny objects. Because the batteries are used in so many common household items, exposures can occur in ways parents may not anticipate.

In certain cases, experts may recommend giving honey to children older than one year while traveling to the hospital. Honey can help slow the extent of esophageal injury, though it does not stop the damage entirely and should never delay medical treatment.

“Quick action can make a significant difference in outcomes,” Huntington said. 

Prevention remains the best protection

While rapid treatment is essential, CPCS experts emphasize that prevention is the most effective way to protect children.

Families can reduce risk by taking several simple steps:

• Poison-proof your home: Keep loose batteries stored up high, out of sight and reach of children.
• Secure devices: Ensure battery compartments in toys and electronics are tightly closed, ideally with screws.
• Limit battery-powered items: Be mindful of how many devices in your home rely on button batteries.
• Know where they are: Button batteries may appear in unexpected products, including toys, musical greeting cards, watches, fidget devices, and even light-up shoes.