Alex and Connie Lithium Battery Safety

Alex and Connie – Lithium Battery Safety

Alex and Connie were so excited. They were going to visit their Auntie. They loved their Auntie Catherine but were especially looking forward to their visit that afternoon because they were going to meet their new baby cousin Amy for the first time! Amy had a big brother and his name was Sam. He was two and he was always pulling things out of cupboards and making lots of noise. They both loved him but just wished he would sit quietly for a little while.

Mum had laughed when they had asked why he was always moving around. “That’s how babies learn. Come on you two,” said Mum. “We need to hurry as I want to go to the shop before we go to Auntie Catherine’s. I want to get Sam a little toy.”

“Why are you getting Sam a toy,” asked Alex. “I thought we were bringing a present for the baby?”

“I don’t want him to feel left out,” said Mum. “He is used to having his mammy all to himself and now he has a little sister and I want him to know that we all still love him just as much.”

There were lots and lots of toys in the big shop that Mum brought them to.

Suddenly Alex pointed and said “Mum Sam would just love this.”

Connie and Mum walked over to where Alex was standing beside a remote controlled car. It was red with yellow writing on the side and had big wheels and huge headlights.

“Wow,” Connie said. “I’d like that myself. Sam will be so pleased.”

When they all arrived at Auntie Catherine’s house they couldn’t wait to see the baby but were also excited about seeing Sam play with his new car. Mum carried the baby present and Alex and Connie brought in the neatly wrapped box.

Baby Amy was beautiful. She was dressed in a little pink Babygro and her mum was feeding her when they entered the living room. Sam was there too playing with a little toy guitar and making lots of noise as usual.

Mum nodded at Alex and Connie and looked at Sam. “Why don’t you two give Sam his present?”

“I think he likes it,” Alex said as they all laughed and watched Sam ripping the paper off and staring at the car with a huge smile.

Mum put the kettle on to make tea and the children all played happily in the hallway and took turns using the remote control to make the car go backwards and forwards. It went really fast and made loud noises that sounded like Mum starting the car.

“Children come in for a drink and some chocolate biscuits,” Mum said as she came out to the hall.

Alex and Connie stood up but Sam started to cry as he didn’t want to leave his car.

Mum gave him a hug and said. “That’s ok. You can stay out here and play for another little while.” Sam made ‘vroom vroom’ noises and smiled.

Alex and Connie sat down and drank juice whilst Auntie Catherine and Mum had tea. They all ate biscuits and talked about the baby who was lying sleeping in her Moses basket.

“Does she sleep a lot?” Connie asked.

“All babies sleep a lot.” Mum answered. “Although she might not sleep as much now that Sam has that car.”

Connie listened for a minute but couldn’t hear the car noises any more so she went to check to make sure it was ok.

When she went out to the hall Sam was sitting on his bottom playing with the remote control. He had started to take it apart as the back of it was lying on the floor.

“Sam’s going to break his new toy Mum,” Connie said. “I don’t think the remote will work now.”

Auntie Catherine got up to check and all of a sudden they could hear a commotion.

“Sam what have you done with the battery. The car won’t work without it. I hope you haven’t lost it.” Auntie Catherine said looking around the floor.

Alex looked at Sam and realised he had something in his mouth. He hadn’t been in the kitchen or eaten any biscuits so he wondered what he was chewing.

“What has Sam got in his mouth?” Alex asked.

Auntie Catherine and Mum both shouted and went over to Sam.

“Open your mouth Sam. Spit that out now. That’s really dangerous.”

Sam turned away thinking it was a game but Auntie Catherine sat on the stairs and put him on her knee and eventually he spat a small round silver piece of metal into her hand.

Alex and Connie looked at it. It didn’t look like a proper battery. It looked like a flat coin.

“I’m going to phone the doctor,” Auntie Catherine said looking really worried as Mum held on to Sam. Sam had started to cry and his lips and mouth were red and sore looking.

“We have to go to the hospital,” Auntie Catherine said when she came back. “Sam needs an x-ray and to be examined. Those batteries are very dangerous. They can burn your tummy and make you very ill.”

Connie was scared and started to cry and Alex now wished that he had never got the car. He loved his little cousin and didn’t want him to be sick.

Auntie Catherine took Sam to the hospital and Mum and Alex and Connie looked after the baby. Everyone was very quiet and worried and the happiness and excitement they had felt earlier had all gone.

A few hours later Auntie Catherine came home but Sam wasn’t with her. They had kept him in hospital as he had a very sore mouth.

“It was lucky he didn’t swallow the battery,” Auntie Catherine said. “He might have needed an operation on his throat and would have had to spend weeks in hospital away from his Mum and Dad.”

“I never knew batteries could be so dangerous or make you so sick,” Alex said.

“Sam is very curious and likes to put things in his mouth but let this be a lesson to you all.” Auntie Catherine said. “Never ever put batteries near your mouth. These little batteries are found in lots of things and should never be touched.”

A few days later Sam got out of hospital but he still wasn’t able to eat as his poor mouth was so sore. Auntie Catherine and Mum took turns nursing him and reading him stories and giving him medicine. He looked very sad and Alex and Connie wished he would run around and play like he always did.

Alex and Connie were sorry to see their little cousin so sick and their Mum had gone around the house and made sure anything that had batteries in it was secure so that the batteries couldn’t come out. She had also told them if they ever found a battery to give it to a big person who would put it away safely.

Nobody ever wanted to see Sam or anyone else so sick again.