Parents have been given an 'urgent' warning for Christmas Day as they prepare for kids to excitedly unwrap their presents.
Leading NHS children’s doctors are encouraging adults with young children to be aware of the dangers posed by small toys this year after surgeons previously had to perform life-saving operations to remove button batteries, magnetic balls and Christmas cracker toys.
It comes as data shows that the number of children being admitted to hospital after ingesting small objects has doubled over the last 10 years to 228.
NHS doctors are especially concerned by the danger posed by small button batteries, which are often needed to power smaller toys.
They are also used to charge festive lights, TV remotes, watches, thermometers and even many musical Christmas cards.
But when swallowed these round-shaped batteries can get lodged and leak alkali, creating a large abscess cavity in the chest that can be fatal within hours.
Young children are especially at risk as they are likely to put small items in their mouth, with some cases of battery swallowing going undetected for months.
The Child Accident Trust said at least two children a year die in the UK from ingesting the batteries, while those who survive may suffer life-changing effects for the rest of their life.
Professor Simon Kenny, NHS national clinical director for children and young people and consultant paediatric surgeon at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital NHS, said: "This time of the year is meant to be one of joy as families come together - and the last thing anyone wants is to spend Christmas at hospital as their child undergoes life-saving surgery.
"But unfortunately we are seeing an increase in the number of children at hospital because they have swallowed a foreign object - double the number we had 10 years ago - and the consequences can be devastating, especially when that object is a button battery or magnetic ball causing irreversible damage."
