Happy Birthday Mr. Yuk

He was born 35 years ago with a face only a parent could love – a scowling green frown that has protected millions of curious children worldwide against poisoning dangers. Mr. Yuk, the internationally recognized poison prevention symbol, turns 35 just in time for national Poison Prevent Week (March 19 – 25). He was created at the Pittsburgh Poison Center (PPC) at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in 1971 to educate children and parents about poison prevention and poison control centers, and has since been adopted as a symbol recognized around the world.

The Pittsburgh Poison Center is one of only two poison control centers in Pennsylvania and serves nearly 6 million residents in 47 counties of western Pennsylvania. Calls are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week by highly trained clinical toxicology nurse specialists. They do a good job, too! They were quick to answer my questions and reassure me a few years ago when my son decided to make a snack of poisonous pokeweed berries.

Even with the widespread use of Mr. Yuk stickers, more than 4 million accidental poisonings are reported in the U.S. each year. Sixty-five percent of those involve children. The most common forms of poisoning among small children are vitamins, aspirins, cleaning products and beauty supplies. Poisonous plants, both in the house and in the landscape, are another common cause of accidental poisonings. Pets can be accidentally poisoned as well, and many poison control centers will also handle those calls.