Warning Out on Halloween-Themed Headbands and Wands with Unsecured Button Cell Batteries
The tiny button cell batteries used to light up these Halloween-themed headbands, often stored in unsecured compartments, may pose life-threatening hazard to young children.
28 October 2026, Quezon City. The toxics watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition has cautioned families against buying Halloween costumes powered by button cell batteries, particularly those lacking childproof compartments, which can endanger a child’s life.
With the market flooded again with festive devil-horn, pumpkin, skull, and cartoon character headbands and wands, the advocacy group issued a stark warning about the hidden health risks these products pose to children.
According to the EcoWaste Coalition, certain glowing or flashing headbands and wands pose a hazard because their 10 mm button cell batteries are housed in unsealed compartments. Curious children can easily open these cases, gain access to the small batteries, and play with them.
As the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) noted in Advisory No. 2025-1409, “a button battery is dangerous inside the body of a child, as the bodily fluids may cause a chemical reaction that can damage the tissues and important organs.”
“Ingestion of a button battery may also cause choking. In extreme cases, it may lead to an unfortunate death,” the FDA warned.
Accidental ingestion of button batteries from toys and small electronic devices is among the top causes of pediatric poisoning, as tracked by the National Poison Management and Control Center (NPMCC) through telephone consultations and in-patient referrals.
To avoid chemical burns, choking, and death due to the ingestion of button batteries, the EcoWaste Coalition urged consumers to heed these timely safety reminders:
- Don't buy toys if the button battery compartments can be broken or opened easily.
- Carefully read the product label and follow the safety instructions on battery use, storage, and disposal.
- Ensure that button batteries in children’s products and household items are duly secured with a screw.
- Keep button batteries in their original packaging and store them in a childproof container.
- Ensure that button batteries, old or new, are kept out of children’s sight and reach.
- Do not allow children to handle and install button batteries and never let them play with them.
- Supervise children whenever they play with toys or use devices containing button batteries.
The EcoWaste Coalition also encouraged households, schools, and day care centers to download and be guided by the FDA-published factsheet on button batteries available at https://www.fda.gov.ph/fda-advisory-no-2025-1423-button-batteries-factsheet/ to avoid poisoning incidents involving these tiny but dangerous batteries.
References:
https://www.fda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FDA-Advisory-2025-1409.pdf
https://www.fda.gov.ph/fda-advisory-no-2025-1423-button-batteries-factsheet/
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