A child has died after swallowing a lithium battery on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

The four-year-old was taken to Noosa Hospital early on Sunday with stomach bleeding.

She was transferred to Royal Brisbane Hospital but could not be saved.

Susan Teerds from Kidsafe Queensland says the button-shaped batteries are found in many common household items, and parents must be vigilant.

"When a child swallows a battery it often gets caught in the oesophagus, around the voice box. Once it's been lodged, within an hour, it will start to burn a hole," she said.

"The saliva actually starts a chemical reaction and burns a hole through the oesophagus and can keep burning a hole into the aorta, through to the spine and whatever else is there."

Kidsafe Queensland says several children present to emergency departments with symptoms each week.