Energizer now offers child-safe batteries for your AirTags
Source: 9to5Mac
Background
Safety regulators have long expressed concern about the potential risks to children posed by the easily‑opened battery compartment of AirTags. Children can swallow objects of similar size and shape to the coin batteries used in AirTags, which can cause life‑threatening injuries.
Consumer‑protection bodies issued warnings about these risks as early as 2021 — see the original report here.
ACCC concerns
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) highlighted several issues:
- The battery compartment can be accessed by young children, allowing the button battery to be removed with ease.
- The compartment’s lid does not always secure fully when closed.
- A distinctive sound plays when the lid is closed, suggesting it is secure even when it may not be.
The most dangerous scenario is a battery becoming lodged in a child’s throat and leaking. Lithium exposure can cause catastrophic bleeding and can be fatal within as little as two hours.
Apple’s response
Apple responded by adding warning symbols and statements to:
- The inside of the battery compartment
- The product box
- The Find My app
(Details of Apple’s actions are discussed in a 2025 article here.)
Energizer’s Ultimate Child Shield series
Energizer has announced a new Ultimate Child Shield series of CR2032 batteries, the same size used in AirTags. The company claims the batteries completely eliminate the risk of esophageal burns if swallowed.
“Energizer Ultimate Child Shield is the world’s only coin lithium battery that prevents ingestion burns if swallowed. Our no‑burn technology eliminates the risk of esophageal burns.”
Safety features
The new batteries incorporate three additional safety measures:
- Child‑resistant packaging
- Non‑toxic bitter coating to encourage children to spit out the battery
- A coating that visibly dyes the mouth blue within seconds, alerting parents and guardians
You can purchase the Child Shield batteries on Amazon here.