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SEATTLE, Dec. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Mr. Yuk and the Washington Poison Center have launched their 13^th Annual Poison Prevention Poster Contest, sponsored by Swedish, with the theme: "Mr. Yuk to the Rescue!".

The Poison Prevention Poster Contest asks Washington state elementary students grades kindergarten through 6^th, to consider how Mr. Yuk helps keep people safe from toxic substances. Elementary students are encouraged to use their creativity to develop life-saving artwork and messages through a poster format. One student's artwork will be chosen as the winner, and transformed into the 13^th Annual Poison Prevention Week poster to coincide with National Poison Prevention Week, March 17-23, 2019.

"Teaching students about poison prevention, and making good choices about their health and well-being, is a priority for us at the Washington Poison Center," commented Dr. Erica Liebelt, executive/medical director for the Washington Poison Center. "One way we reach students is through our poison prevention poster contest.  Since 2006, more than 3,000 elementary students have submitted artwork illustrating the many ways that Mr. Yuk and our specialists in poison information come to the rescue for Washingtonians, hospital clinical staff, and first responders, 24/7/365."

The 2019 Poison Prevention Poster Contest materials were mailed to over 1,500 elementary schools throughout Washington state, and included specially designed poison prevention curriculum as a resource to assist students in learning how Mr. Yuk comes to the rescue to keep people safe and healthy from toxic substances.

"Each year in the United States, approximately 3 million people swallow or come into contact with a toxic substance. Many of these poisonings occur in young children, who are both more likely to accidentally ingest dangerous materials, and more susceptible to the effects of these exposures," said Dr. Elizabeth Meade, chief of pediatrics for Swedish.  "As a provider who cares for children in the hospital, I often rely on the specialists at the Washington Poison Center to help guide the care of patients who have had a toxic exposure. Swedish is thrilled to partner with WAPC on the Poison Prevention Poster Contest, and to help educate children and families about safety and poisoning prevention." 

Poison Prevention Poster Contest Schedule

• Monday, December 3, 2018 – Poster Contest Kick Off
• Thursday, January 31, 2019 – Last Day to Submit Posters
• Wednesday, March 6, 2019 – Poster Contest Winner Announced

The 2019 Washington Poison Center Poison Prevention Contest winner receives a special school visit from Mr. Yuk to present the Mr. Yuk Award of Excellence, a trip to Olympia with Mr. Yuk in his one-of-a-kind Yuk Mobile to deliver posters to Washington State Legislators, and year-long recognition as the winner of the 2019 Poison Prevention Poster Contest.

Classroom visits from Mr. Yuk can be scheduled by emailing: mryuk@wapc.org. For rules and additional poison prevention poster contest information, visit: www.wapc.org/programs/education/annual-poster-contest. 

Additional questions can be directed to: Jennifer Monteleone, Director, Public Affairs & Community Relations, jmonteleone@wapc.org or 206-517-2367.

About the Washington Poison Center: For 62 years, the Washington Poison Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, has assisted Washingtonians with poisonings, drug overdoses, and toxic exposures through its emergency telephone helpline that operates 24/7/365. In 2017, specialists in poison information – nurses and pharmacists with expert-level training in toxicology - answered 63,000 calls from community members, of which 92.4% were treated at home. Of all calls, 48.1% concerned children under 6-years-old, 12.7% concerned adults over 60-years-old, and 25.8% were from healthcare professionals. From patient report, if Washington Poison Center services were not available, 60.2% of home callers would access the emergency room or call 911 for assistance. For more information, visit: www.wapc.org.

The Washington Poison Center is always here to help, 24/7/365, by calling: 1 (800) 222-1222. All calls are free and confidential.

About Swedish: 
Since 1910, Swedish has been the Seattle area's hallmark for excellence in hospitals and health care. Swedish is consistently named the Seattle area's best hospital, with the best doctors, nurses and overall care in a variety of specialty areas. For more information, visit: www.swedish.org.  

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SOURCE Washington Poison Center