Health Ministry Article – May 2024 (“Poison Prevention with Mr. Yuk”)

a note from Ellen Sagazio, RPh, Pharmacist St. Luke’s Sacred Heart Campus via Asbury’s Health Ministry Team

Poison Prevention with Mr. Yuk

Mr. Yuk is mean and green and helped children of the ‘70’s and ‘80’s to watch out for poisons. Stickers and magnets are still available today to help children know what a poison is and help parents with the national poison help line. Nearly 5 million poisonings occur each year in the United States. Approximately half of all poisonings occur in children less than 6 years old and involve cleaning products, pain relievers, cosmetics, plants, cough/cold medications, etc.

About 5% of poisonings involve seniors, adults over 60, but 16% of poisoning-related deaths occur in this age group. Many older adults take multiple prescriptions and have over-the-counter medications. It is easy to make a mistake with labels or doses to be taken. Seniors may also have young grandchildren, so it is important to make the home safe and childproof for little ones.

What to do if there is a poisoning?

1. Remove the poison
2. If person is not breathing call 911
3. Call the poison center hotline with information on what was taken. The expert toxicologist will give instructions 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The poison center can also alert an emergency room of what action needs to be taken.
4. If carbon monoxide is suspected, get fresh air.
5. If opioid overdose, give naloxone nasal spray.

The Health Ministry Team will have an educational table in the future with pamphlets, stickers, and magnets.

Our local poison prevention center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) shares additional information on their website: https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/poison-control-center

Ellen Sagazio, RPh
Pharmacist St. Luke’s Sacred Heart Campus