Mr. Yuk might not be on every household bottle anymore, but his message still matters.

Created by Dr. Richard Moriarty, founder of the Pittsburgh Poison Center and the National Poison Center Network, the green-faced Mr. Yuk stickers were developed in the 1970s and 80s to help parents warn children away from dangerous household substances. Moriarty believed the traditional skull and crossbones was outdated — even appealing — to kids. Mr. Yuk, on the other hand, was meant to scare. And if it did? It worked.

Today, we might not see Mr. Yuk’s face as often, but the risk is still very real. So is the need to teach, not just warn, when it comes to preventing poison-related accidents.

Child Poisoning Facts

  • 800,000 children are rushed to emergency rooms each year due to accidental poisoning.
  • Around 30 children die annually from those incidents, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
  • Nearly 70% of non-fatal poisonings involve toddlers ages 1 to 2.
  • 24 million people call poison control centers each year. While most cases aren’t serious, that number highlights how common these accidents are.

Tips to Prevent Poisonings

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or just someone with little ones around occasionally, these steps can help reduce risk:

  • Choose products with child-resistant packaging — but don’t rely on them completely. Children can and do learn to open them.
  • Keep all medicines, cleaning products, and chemicals out of sight and locked away. If a cabinet isn’t locked, assume it’s not safe.
  • Don’t leave dangerous items unattended, even for a second. Take them with you if you need to step away.
  • Always store products in their original containers. Don’t pour cleaners or medications into other bottles or cups.
  • Install carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your home.
  • Never take medicine in the dark, when label-reading is impossible.
  • When taking multiple medications, read labels closely to prevent dangerous interactions or overdoses.

And most importantly — talk to your kids. Teach them what’s off-limits and why. Explain what poison is and how it harms. Prevention starts with information.

Poison Help Hotline: 1-800-222-1222

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