The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that Apple has implemented crucial safety measures for its AirTag tracking devices to comply with Reese’s Law, a federal regulation aimed at mitigating the risks associated with button cell battery ingestion by children. This law, officially enacted on March 19, 2024, mandates specific warning labels on products containing these small, potentially hazardous batteries. Prior to compliance, AirTags imported into the U.S. after this date lacked the required on-product and packaging warnings, highlighting the serious ingestion risks. Now, following the CPSC’s intervention, Apple has taken proactive steps to rectify this oversight and ensure the safety of its consumers, particularly young children.
The most significant change is the addition of a prominent warning symbol directly onto the AirTag’s battery compartment. This visible alert serves as a constant reminder of the potential dangers lurking within. Furthermore, Apple has redesigned the AirTag packaging to incorporate the mandatory warning statements and symbols, clearly communicating the risks to consumers at the point of purchase. These visual cues are designed to capture attention and underscore the importance of keeping AirTags, and other products containing button cell batteries, out of the reach of children.
Beyond the physical product and packaging, Apple has also integrated safety information into its software ecosystem. The Find My app, which is integral to the AirTag experience, now displays enhanced battery replacement instructions. These updated instructions include explicit warnings regarding the hazards associated with button and coin cell batteries, reinforcing the message at a critical moment when users are directly interacting with the battery compartment. This multi-pronged approach, encompassing hardware, packaging, and software updates, reflects Apple’s commitment to comprehensive safety measures.
Reese’s Law itself is a direct response to the tragic consequences of button cell battery ingestion incidents, particularly the case of Reese Hamsmith, a young girl who lost her life after swallowing a button cell battery. This legislation mandates specific warning label requirements for consumer products containing these batteries, emphasizing the severity of the potential health risks. The law aims to prevent similar tragedies by ensuring consumers are adequately informed about the dangers and take appropriate precautions to safeguard children.
Button cell batteries, commonly found in small electronic devices like AirTags, hearing aids, and remote controls, pose a significant ingestion hazard to young children. Their small size and smooth, shiny surface can make them appealing to curious toddlers and infants, who may mistake them for candy or other harmless objects. If swallowed, these batteries can lodge in the esophagus and create an electrical current that causes severe burns, internal bleeding, and even death within a matter of hours. The alkaline chemicals they contain can also leak, causing further damage to surrounding tissues.
Apple’s compliance with Reese’s Law is a crucial step towards preventing these preventable tragedies. By incorporating clear warning labels on the product, packaging, and within the Find My app, Apple is proactively informing consumers about the potential dangers and empowering them to take necessary precautions. This comprehensive approach to safety reinforces the importance of keeping button cell batteries, and products containing them, away from young children, ultimately contributing to a safer environment for everyone. This concerted effort emphasizes the shared responsibility between manufacturers and consumers in mitigating the risks associated with these ubiquitous yet potentially hazardous power sources.
