MANILA, Dec. 1 -- Parents are cautioned against the dangers posed by button batteries found in many children's toys and household items, emphasizing the need for vigilance as holiday gift-giving approaches.

Environmental health group EcoWaste Coalition said button batteries can cause severe injuries if swallowed or inserted into the nose or ears as they may be mistaken for candy or play objects.

These are found in toys, hair accessories, wristwatches, calculators, thermometers and other portable devices.

"Parents must keep button batteries out of children's sight and reach at all times," the group said in an advisory Monday.

The reminder followed the group's monitoring of unauthorized light-up toys sold for PHP50 to PHP75 in Quiapo, M...