The Edit — Lifestyle
Reese's Law: What It Changed for Button Batteries
Since 2023, a remote, a key fob or a tea light with a coin cell inside has to lock its battery away from small hands. What the federal rule requires, what it leaves to toy law, and the 2-hour fact parents should know.
This guide is research-led: we have not handled these units ourselves. If you buy through our links we may earn a commission — it never changes a pick.Research-led, nothing handled. We may earn from links; it never changes a pick. How we choose
This page reads the federal rule on button and coin batteries from the CPSC’s own pages, and lists the 3 most-rated packs of the coin cell most homes restock, as How we choose describes. Nothing here was handled or tested, and none of it is medical advice.
Energizer 2032 Batteries, 4 Pack
Good fit Restocking remotes, fobs and trackers
Not for A buyer who wants a sure run time, which splits owners
Duracell 2032 Lithium Battery, 4 Count
Good fit Key fobs and trackers, at a price owners call fair
Not for A buyer who wants a sure run time, which splits owners
Energizer Ultimate Child Shield CR2032, 4 Pack
Good fit A house with a toddler, where the safety features earn their keep
Not for A buyer who wants a long owner record, since the listing is new
A swallowed coin cell can cause serious harm in 2 hours
The CPSC says a swallowed button or coin battery can cause death or serious injury in as little as 2 hours, by burning through tissue. The Federal Register notice for the rule counts an estimated 54,300 emergency-room visits for battery swallowing or insertion between 2011 and 2021, and 25 deaths in the CPSC’s own records over the same years. The rule exists to protect children aged 6 and under.
Reese’s Law became Public Law 117-171 on 16 August 2022
President Biden signed Reese’s Law, Public Law 117-171, on 16 August 2022, and it told the CPSC to write a mandatory safety standard. That standard is 16 CFR part 1263. It applies to consumer products made or imported on or after 23 October 2023, and the CPSC gave sellers until 19 March 2024 before enforcing it.
A product’s battery compartment must need a tool or 2 hands
Under 16 CFR part 1263, a compartment holding a button or coin battery must open only with a tool, such as a screwdriver or a coin, or with 2 independent movements made at the same time. It must also stay shut through use-and-abuse tests, such as being dropped. A warning goes on the packaging, in the instructions, and on the product itself where there is room.
Since February 2023, every coin cell pack must be child-resistant
The batteries themselves fall under a separate requirement: child-resistant special packaging, under 16 CFR 1700.15, for packs sold after 12 February 2023. A second rule, for warning labels on the battery packaging, took effect after 21 September 2024. The Energizer 2032 4-pack rates 4.8 across 279,925 ratings, the most-rated coin cell pack here.
Energizer 2032 Batteries, 4 Pack
4 CR2032 3V lithium coin cells, the size in most remotes, key fobs and trackers.
Current price shown on Amazon. We may earn a commission.
| Size | CR2032, 3V lithium |
|---|---|
| Count | 4 |
4 CR2032 cells that owners fit in remotes, key fobs, AirTags and fitness trackers. Reports on run time are mixed.
Buy it if
- Restocking remotes, fobs and trackers
Don't buy it if
- A buyer who wants a sure run time, which splits owners
The Duracell 2032 4-pack rates 4.8 across 101,891 ratings, and owners use it in key fobs and AirTags and call it good value. Both packs are the same CR2032 size, so the choice comes down to the price on the day.
Duracell 2032 Lithium Battery, 4 Count
4 CR2032 3V lithium coin cells that owners use in key fobs and AirTags.
Current price shown on Amazon. We may earn a commission.
| Size | CR2032, 3V lithium |
|---|---|
| Count | 4 |
4 CR2032 cells that owners call good value for key fobs and trackers. Reports on run time are mixed.
Buy it if
- Key fobs and trackers, at a price owners call fair
Don't buy it if
- A buyer who wants a sure run time, which splits owners
Energizer’s Child Shield pack puts the safety in its name
Energizer sells a CR2032 pack it calls Ultimate Child Shield, and owners mention its safety features and say the cells hold their charge. It rates 4.8 across 106 ratings, a newer listing with few reviews yet. For a house with a toddler, it is the pack to keep in the drawer.
Energizer Ultimate Child Shield CR2032, 4 Pack
4 CR2032 cells sold as child-resistant; a newer listing with few ratings yet.
Current price shown on Amazon. We may earn a commission.
| Size | CR2032, 3V lithium |
|---|---|
| Count | 4 |
A child-resistant CR2032 4-pack. Owners call the cells reliable and value the safety features. A newer listing.
Buy it if
- A house with a toddler, where the safety features earn their keep
Don't buy it if
- A buyer who wants a long owner record, since the listing is new
If a child swallows a battery, call 800-498-8666 on the way
The CPSC’s advice is to seek medical attention immediately. The National Battery Ingestion Hotline is 800-498-8666, and Poison Help is 800-222-1222. The CPSC also passes on the National Capital Poison Center’s honey guidance for children over 12 months: 10 mL every 10 minutes, up to 6 doses, within 12 hours of swallowing, and never in place of the trip to hospital.
Coin cells hide in more than toys this Christmas
Battery-powered tea lights, key fobs, bathroom scales and flameless candles all run on coin cells, and all of them come out at Christmas. The toy small parts rule, explained covers the choking rule for under-3s, and toys for 2-year-olds picks 5 that need no coin cell at all. Rechargeable against alkaline batteries covers the AA and AAA cells that run most toys, and the best rechargeable AA batteries ranks the packs.
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