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Case Reports
. 2008 Dec 31;21(4):219-20.

Fatal domestic accident from a 1.5 volt dry-cell battery explosion as seen in lagos state university teaching hospital, ikeja, lagos, Nigeria

I O Fadeyibi  1 , M C Izegbu, A S Benebo
Affiliations
Case Reports

Fatal domestic accident from a 1.5 volt dry-cell battery explosion as seen in lagos state university teaching hospital, ikeja, lagos, Nigeria

I O Fadeyibi et al. Ann Burns Fire Disasters. .

Abstract
in English, French

Objective: To illustrate the danger of wrong disposal of used dry-cell batteries in Lagos, Nigeria.

Method: Information was extracted from the case notes of a patient who died following the explosion of a 1.5 volt dry-cell battery. No post-mortem was performed because the death certificate was inadvertently issued and the body was buried hurriedly according to Islamic rites.

Results: A 53% burn involving the face, upper arm, trunk, and thigh was found on examination, in addition to inhalation injuries.

Conclusion: Dry-cell batteries are highly explosive when heated. There is a need to educate the populace about their explosive nature and to keep batteries away from children.

But: Illustrer le danger de l'élimination erronée des batteries à piles sèches à Lagos, Nigeria. Méthode: Les informations ont été prises du dossier d'une patiente décédée à cause de l'explosion d'une batterie à piles sèches de 1,5 volt. Aucune autopsie n'a été effectuée parce que l'acte de décès a été délivré par mégarde et le corps enterré en toute hâte selon le rite islamique. Résultats:Il s'agissait de brûlures qui intéressaient 53% de la surface corporelle (visage, bras supérieur, tronc, cuisse), associées à des lésions par inhalation. Conclusion: Les batteries à piles sèches deviennent extrêmement explosives si elles sont exposées à une source de chaleur. Il faut éduquer le grand public sur leur capacité explosive nature et tenir les batteries hors de la portée des enfants.

Keywords: ACCIDENT; BATTERY; DOMESTIC; DRY-CELL; EXPLOSION; FATAL.

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