That unmistakable green, tongue-out scowl of Mr. Yuk has become an iconic cultural symbol in the United States warning children about poisonous substances, and Dunlap Elementary School student Kyesha Martin put a unique spin on the poison control mascot. Martin won first place in a statewide Mr. Yuk poster art competition to raise awareness for, and highlight, National Poison Prevention Week, March 18-24. Poisonings are the third leading cause of accidental deaths in Washington behind only car crashes and falling. Children, teens, adults, seniors and our pets are all at risk. The goal of Poison Prevention Week is to reduce illnesses, injuries and deaths due to poisonings; build safer communities; and reduce unnecessary health care costs for everyone.
Mr. Yuk was conceived in 1971 as the mascot for the poison center at the Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh. His image appears on small green stickers that are affixed to containers of poisonous substances. Mr. Yuk stickers usually contain phone numbers of poison control offices that may give guidance if poisoning has occurred or is suspected (1-800-222-1222 in the United States).
The stickers are bold and obvious, just as Martin's poster concept, which debuted in the Rainier Valley on March 6 on the billboard located in the parking lot of Rose Street Auto Repair, 8335 Rainier Ave. S.
The first Poison Prevention Week Poster Contest was made possible by a grant from the Group Health Community Foundation. Over 500 third to fifth-grade students participated in local contests statewide during March 2006. Kyesha Martin, a fifth grader at Dunlap Elementary School in Seattle, designed the winning poster, which was chosen from the local winners. Her poster is being used as this year's Washington State Poison Prevention Week poster. The theme, "Mr. Yuk Means No!" is being featured on billboards throughout Washington State and being distributed as a mini poster during March 2007.
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