Coroner urges review of button batteries

A coroner has recommended small button batteries be plastic coated to save the lives of children who swallow them.

Coroner John Hutton's made his recommendation on Tuesday as he handed down his findings into the death of four-year-old Summer Steer, who died in 2013 after swallowing a 2cm lithium button battery.

The battery was not discovered for days, by which time Summer suffered numerous episodes of vomiting blood before finally going into cardiac arrest and dying at the Royal Children's Hospital.