FAMILIES with young children in Worcestershire are being warned of the potential dangers of button batteries in a bid to reduce accidental choking and poisoning.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents claims the risk of children swallowing these batteries is increasing, with deaths having been reported in the UK, and has launched a campaign urging parents to take extra care.

Battery buttons are found in gadgets, electronic toys and musical greetings cards and it is feared the festive season could lead to more accidents.

Eva McCafferty, now five, swallowed a button battery when she was 14-months-old and required emergency surgery after the battery eroded her oesophagus.

Her mother Kathleen McCafferty said: “We want to highlight the dangers to other families, as we were not aware of how devastating the effects of swallowing one of these batteries could be.

"We don’t want any other children to have to go through what Eva did.”

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has launched a six-month campaign to increase awareness about not just button batteries, but the other choking and poisoning hazards that can found around the home.

Ita McErlean, a home safety manager at the society, said: “Young children are naturally inquisitive and explore the world in part by putting things in their mouths.

“As more and more electronic items are introduced into the family home, the potential for children to swallow button batteries increases, and this can lead to choking or poisoning.

“We want to reach parents, grandparents, childminders, carers, students, practitioners and health professionals with our simple safety messages, to help prevent unnecessary and distressing trips to the emergency department.”