Most North Carolina parents probably do not worry about the batteries that come along with the toys that they purchase for their children. However, batteries and magnets can cause severe personal injury or even death if the child happens to swallow one of them.

The battery acid contained inside of batteries can break down the lining of the entire digestive system from the esophagus to the small and large intestines. A magnet that is swallowed could lead to intestinal blockages and infections. And like so many objects, batteries and magnets because of the frequently small size are temptations for a child to swallow.

Since such products were obviously intended for children, manufacturers owe a duty to their customers of creating safeguards and creating precautions that will keep such objects as magnets and batteries out of the reach of children. Warnings alone that may be useful to adults will not prevent children from using such products in an inappropriate manner.

Parents whose children are injured in a manner such as swallowing an unintended object may want to contact an attorney experienced in the personal injury area that can successfully prosecute companies that fail to take precautions when it comes to children. Though one injury may have occurred because of the design of a particular toy, litigation against the company may force that corporation to take action to insure the same kind of injury will not reoccur.

Choking hazards are problems enough when it comes to toys. The severity of injury from swallowing batteries and magnets compounds the dangers.

Source: WDTV.com, "Dangers of Batteries and Magnets," by Whitney Wetzel, Jan. 30, 2012