Girl, 2, dies after swallowing tiny battery as parents issued urgent warning

Parents are being warned about the dangers of button batteries after the death of a two-year-old girl.

Staffordshire Safeguarding Children's Board has issued the warning after little Harper-Lee Farnthorpe passed away at the Royal Stoke University Hospital within hours of swallowing one of the batteries.

Devastated mum Stacey Nicklin, from Abbey Hulton, discovered a remote control with a missing button battery in her daughter's bedroom following the May 23 tragedy.

Now an inquest has ruled that Harper-Lee's death was accidental, Staffordshire Live reports.

The warning is included in the board's latest edition of its child death prevention newsletter. It refers to a 'young child from Staffordshire'.

Little Harper died at the Royal Stoke University Hospital hours after swallowing the battery (BPM MEDIA)

It states: "Button batteries power everyday objects like car key fobs, remote controls and children's toys. But did you know that if they are swallowed they can badly injure, or even kill a child?

"Batteries react with saliva and if a child swallows a button battery it can burn holes and cause internal bleeding and even death.

"Tragically, a young child in Staffordshire has recently died from ingesting a button battery.

"If you think your child has swallowed a battery then taken them straight to the nearest A&E department or call 999 for an ambulance.

"The symptoms may not be obvious. Your child might be coughing, gagging or drooling, or pointing to their throat or tummy.

"Unclear or fluctuating symptoms mean it is important to be vigilant. Trust your instincts and act fast even if there are no symptoms."

Simple home gadgets like a remote control can contain the dangerous batteries (stock image) (Getty Images/Glowimages RF)

Steps to take to keep your child safe:

• Store spare batteries securely, out of reach;
• Know which toys or gadgets use button batteries, check your home;
• Get rid of ‘dead’ button batteries immediately – they still have
• enough power to harm children;
• Teach older children the dangers – why they shouldn’t play with them
• or give them to younger children;
• Place strong tape over the battery compartment on remote controls.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has been informed of the tragedy.

Councillor Dave Evans, cabinet member for children and young people said: “This was a tragic accident involving a young child and our thoughts are with the family at this sad time.

"We will be working closely with all our partners to raise awareness of the dangers of button batteries to try to prevent this happening again."

ROSPA is aware of a number of deaths and some serious injuries involving children who have swallowed button batteries in the UK.