Energizer says it is launching new coin lithium batteries designed for Apple AirTags and aimed at reducing risks if a battery is accidentally ingested. The batteries are offered in the 2032 size used by AirTags and are marketed as child-safe. Energizer says the “Child Shield” design is intended to prevent ingestion burns and includes features meant to deter swallowing and alert caregivers after exposure. The company also describes a bitter coating to discourage ingestion and an indicator intended to change the mouth blue when the battery is exposed to saliva, helping people recognize when ingestion may have occurred.
The move follows long-running concerns about coin-cell batteries and child safety. Reports note that when AirTags launched, some retailers and consumer regulators raised objections about the tracker’s battery compartment, and warnings were issued in countries including Australia. In the United States, Apple updated AirTag packaging and the Find My app with guidance to keep the coin-cell battery out of reach because ingestion can cause injury or death. Apple’s warnings also extend to battery substitutions, stating that certain non-toxic coatings may not function correctly depending on how they align with battery contacts.
