Are AirTags Safe for Children? A Parent’s Guide

It is strongly advised against swallowing an AirTag for various reasons, but recent developments have made Apple’s trackers safer for children, especially if the right batteries are used.

In 2021, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued a warning to parents about keeping AirTags away from young children due to concerns regarding the coin or “button” battery inside. These safety concerns led to major retailers in Australia, such as Officeworks, removing AirTags from their shelves.

Energizer has introduced a new battery, the Ultimate Child Shield coin lithium battery, to address these safety concerns. This new battery is designed to offer parents peace of mind, especially considering that over 3,500 coin batteries are swallowed annually.

The Ultimate Child Shield battery from Energizer features three key safety components. Firstly, it includes a bitter coating that activates upon contact with saliva, discouraging children from swallowing it. Secondly, it has Ingestion Burn Protection, which limits the amount of current the battery delivers when in contact with saliva or tissue, reducing the risk of electrolysis and tissue damage. Lastly, the battery is coated with a non-toxic food-grade dye called Color Alert technology, which turns a child’s mouth blue upon exposure to moisture, alerting parents to a potential ingestion incident.

It is important to note that despite these safety features, swallowing the new lithium coin batteries from Energizer is still hazardous and should be treated as a medical emergency. While the risk of caustic burns is minimized, the internal chemicals are still toxic and can cause poisoning if the battery casing is breached.

Energizer’s advancements provide an added layer of protection for children who may come into contact with AirTag batteries. While subdermal microchips may be on the horizon, for now, AirTags remain a popular choice for tracking kids and their belongings. By using Energizer’s Ultimate Child Shield coin batteries, parents can have some peace of mind knowing that additional safety measures are in place.