GREETING CARD WARNING

A CBC radio news item this morning aired a warning from a medical doctor concerning the damage that can occur when children are permitted to handle greeting cards that contain a battery that plays musical greetings. This medical doctor, who works in a children’s hospital, reported that he has treated children who have placed these batteries in various apertures of their body and has seen their health compromised that has at times resulted in loss of life.

If placed in an ear, and not immediately noticed and removed by a doctor, it can cause deafness. It can get stuck in the esophagus when attempting to swallow it and cause death. The breathing tube can also be compromised and the result can be the same.

The nose is another common area that can affect breathing and removing such and item requires immediate medical attention. If a parent or other family member attempts to remove any of these obstructions it can be pushed in further.

When any of these musical cards arrive place it out of reach of children, and at the end of the day toss it in the garbage after gluing it with tape to another larger item so it won’t roll out of sight and be found later by a child.