AirTag Removable Battery Sparks Child Safety Concerns

[orbital~debris]

Sorry to quote your post at length, @SFjohn , but I thought it was a good way to address a number of common themes in posts here.

Apple didn’t make a mistake.

I think they may have done, with their design of this product.

The batteries are hard to get to,

Not by all accounts (there are people who say the covers work loose, or haven’t secured properly even when seemingly locked).

if you have kids that swallow small things put them in a case for gods sake.

That’s a fine solution for your own AirTags, but by their nature the product is going to be out in the world (where children will go) and brought into their world (by people visiting their home, who may have belongings with AirTags).

Are you planning on throwing AirTags into your toddle’s play area?

No, that would be irresponsible. As would ignoring this issue where it seems clear improvement of the product is required, along with more education to counter ignorance in society.

Instead of whining on MacRumors,

Whining isn’t the aim here. By the nature of the site, many posters here are interested in computer technology and have some degree of influence in this area over less ‘techy’ family & friends. The more posters who become aware that these batteries are a significant danger to young children and help inform others of the risks, hopefully fewer families will be affected.

you should be petitioning the Treasury to stop making pennies, nickels & dimes.

Pennies, nickels & dimes, while they can be a choking hazard, don’t cause the permanent damage to airways leading to death. (Also, don’t assume everyone here is in the USA - there’s a whole planet people post from).
Don’t take my word for it, read about cases involving these batteries and see what medical professionals say about the damage they cause.


Overall, you (and all of us) could help others; Look out for these batteries and securely dispose (better, recycle) them whenever you see them discarded. Tell other people to take care with them due to their specific dangers. And be aware that all AirTags may not have a secure case or be fastened properly in places you spend time where young children may also be present (later).

 

[DrRadon]

Isn’t this the seatbelt argument?

car crashes are very real and common. You letting your kids chew batteries is not.

read the book „the coddling of the American mind“. Cognitive behavioral scientist deepdive into why we are doing our children a disservice if we overprotect them from everything.

most kids don’t die if they climb a tree.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

car crashes are very real and common. You letting your kids chew batteries is not.

read the book „the coddling of the American mind“. Cognitive behavioral scientist deepdive into why we are doing our children a disservice if we overprotect them from everything.

most kids don’t die if they climb a tree.

Many couldn’t care less what happens specifically in America either. This topic is about a product sold globally and is being discussed on a platform containing many nationalities. Maybe they can leave the warnings off the US products but use them elsewhere seeing as packaging is already regional due to different standards?

 

[henrikhelmers]

car crashes are very real and common. You letting your kids chew batteries is not.

Car crashes are a good analogy, as you only control yourself and not the other drivers. So even with excellent driving it is possible to be involved in one. Just like with a high-speed car crash the consequences of digesting a battery can be severe.

Below is a fairly standard risk matrix. I expect Apple products to stay off this chart or in the green zone if at all possible. Like their chargers, where Apple has added redundancies for safety.