Emergency Handling Guide for Hong Kong Parents if Their Child Swallows Small Objects

November 20, 2025

In Hong Kong families, children, especially infants (6 months to 3 years old), often put objects in their mouths out of curiosity or exploration. If parents discover that their child has swallowed a small object, they may feel anxious, but proper handling procedures and observation can greatly reduce the risk.

1. Steps to be taken immediately

Stay calm: Parents' emotions can affect children, so take a deep breath first.
Observe your child for signs of difficulty breathing, violent coughing, inability to cry, or blue lips or face . If any of these occur, call emergency services immediately (in Hong Kong, call 999 or go directly to the emergency room).
Try to identify any objects the child swallowed, including their type (coins, magnets, button batteries, small toy fragments), size, and material. This information is crucial for doctors.
Do not give children large amounts of water or force them to vomit . These practices may cause complications.

2. Dangerous objects and when to seek immediate medical attention

Some objects pose a particularly high risk if swallowed, requiring immediate medical attention:

Button batteries can quickly cause burns to the esophagus or stomach.
Strong magnets (especially multiple small magnets): If at least two magnets attract each other inside the intestines, it can lead to intestinal perforation.
Sharp objects, needles, broken glass, screws, etc.: can easily cause internal damage.
Large objects or objects that can get stuck in the airway/esophagus: such as coins or large pieces of plastic.

If your child exhibits any of the following symptoms, take them to the emergency room immediately:

Difficulty breathing, hoarse voice, and inability to cry out.
Persistent cough/vomiting/drooling.
Unwilling to eat or drink after meals.
Severe pain in the chest/neck/abdomen, or blood in the stool/vomit.

3. Situations that can be observed but still require attention.

If a child swallows a small , non-sharp object that does not contain batteries/magnets and does not cause immediate symptoms (such as a coin, small bead, or small plastic piece):

Observe for 24 to 48 hours but remain vigilant. Most of these items will dissipate naturally.
Observe your child for abdominal pain, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, or decreased appetite. If any of these symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately.
Parents do not need to check stool for objects every day, but they can remind the doctor of the possible location and shape of the object.
Ensure your child eats a normal diet and stays well-hydrated, but there are no specific dietary therapies that should be enforced. (For example, it is not recommended to give laxatives to stimulate bowel movements.)

4. Special reminder for Hong Kong families

Hong Kong homes are often cramped, cluttered, and easily accessible to young children: Please clean the floor, small items, batteries, and magnetic toys regularly.
Note that button batteries are commonly found in remote controls, Christmas decorations, and small toys: when storing them, they should be placed in a high place and secured with a safety lock.
When purchasing toys or electronic devices, make sure the battery compartment cover is locked with screws or designed to be difficult for children to open.
Teach young children "not to put non-food objects in their mouths." Due to Hong Kong's multilingual environment, the message can also be reinforced using both Chinese and English.
If a suspected swallowing incident occurs while the child is playing at a daycare center or out and about, please immediately notify healthcare professionals and record the characteristics of the object.
If you are moving or renovating your home, check for potentially swallowable items (such as small parts in cracked floor tiles, furniture pads, small screws, etc.).

5. Summary of Prevention Strategies

Place all small objects, magnets, and batteries smaller than approximately 2.5 cm (or according to the toy's age indication) in a cabinet out of reach of young children.
When choosing toys, pay attention to age rating, whether they have small disassembly parts, and whether they have a non-removable battery compartment/magnet.
Parental supervision is the best form of oversight: when children are playing or exploring small objects, an adult nearby can intervene immediately.
Establish the habit of "cleaning up toys after play": Pick up small parts that are scattered after play to prevent children from accidentally swallowing them.
Educate other family members (including domestic helpers and elders) to pay attention to the safety of small household items and batteries.

Conclusion

When a child swallows a small object, a parent's first reaction may be panic, but the correct approach is to remain calm, assess the object's characteristics, observe symptoms, and seek immediate medical attention if necessary. For most small objects without dangerous features, observation is a viable option; however, for button batteries, multiple magnets, sharp objects, or large objects, "wait and see" is crucial. In Hong Kong's environment, where objects are mixed together and young children have easy access to various small items, strengthening preventative measures is even more important.

Thank you for reading! If you found this article interesting or helpful, please register on our website : https://hksafekids.com/pages/contact Get special offers and exclusive content. Don't forget to follow us on social media and stay connected:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HKSafeKids

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HKSafeKids/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hksafekids

Back to blog