The packaging is designed to reduce the occurrence of ingestions of coin-sized button batteries by children and the associated medical complications.
According to Energizer, the new packaging is made from more durable and flexible materials that make it very difficult for young children to open.
Energizer has also added easily understood icons on the front of the package to let parents know to keep the batteries away from small children, along with detailed warning copy advising of the danger of ingesting coin cell batteries and how to get help if they are swallowed.
In a press statement Energizer said that once an adult has opened the package, they will see a warning sticker on the back of the battery itself (with a tab for easy removal) that further reinforces the safety message.
Energizer US batteries director of marketing Stacey Harbour said: “The incidence and severity of button cell battery ingestion is on the rise and not only did we want to bring visibility to what is an invisible threat in many homes, but we made a commitment to work toward both technology and packaging solutions that can save lives.
“The new child-resistant packaging can help prevent ingestion and is a big step in the right direction.”
“While children usually swallow coin cell batteries they obtain directly from products or find left out or discarded, child-resistant packaging that meets the strict CPSC regulations has the potential to eliminate up to 11 percent of coin cell battery ingestions,” added Dr. Toby Litovitz of the National Capital Poison Center, a key advisor for The Battery Controlled.
He added: “It’s positive to see Energizer take a leadership position on this, and we hope this effort mobilizes all device and battery companies to identify and implement ways to reduce both the incidence of battery ingestion and the severity of the damage that can occur when these cells are swallowed.”
