Jenna Hardman, age 12, of Seattle! Congratulations and a round of applause to the new winner of the “Everyone Needs Mr. Yuk” poster contest.  Jenna’s design shows the face of Mr. Yuk encircled by figures representing the residents of the state of Washington, along with many of the state’s cities.  Jenna wins $500 courtesy of Umpqua Bank, a visit to her school by Mr. Yuk, and her poster will be featured as the Washington Poison Center’s 2012 Poison Prevention Week poster.

and in Spanish…

While March 18-24, 2012, is National Poison Prevention Week, the staff at the Washington Poison Center love to celebrate all month long! We invite every resident in the state to join us in the celebration by visiting our website at www.wapc.org, it is the absolute perfect time to pick up all kinds of tips, including: how to get rid of all of your old medications, and how to poison-proof your home.

We also want to give a great big THANK YOU to the generosity of Umpqua Bank who makes our contest possible! Jenna’s poster can be seen at their locations.   You may want to stop in, have a cup of coffee (their own special blend!), check your email, and check out Jenna’s wonderful poster.

We also have four runners-up. Congratulations to Hassan Abshir, age 9, of Seattle; Kiet Tran, age 7, of  Seattle; Casey Ornelas, age 12, of Auburn; and Emily Rodriguez, age 12, of Auburn.  They also win $100 each courtesy of Umpqua Bank.

All the best,

Snow days are fun and beautiful and potentially dangerous! We want you and your neighbors to be safe during this snowstorm.

Carbon Monoxide, or CO, is an odorless, colorless, tasteless, deadly gas.  Someone with CO poisoning may think they are just getting the flu, since symptoms can be a headache, nausea and vomiting, weakness, fatigue, and confusion.  If several people in the household become ill at the same time, it may not be “just the flu.”  If carbon monoxide poisoning is happening while the person is sleeping, they likely will not wake up.   If you think you are experiencing CO poisoning, get to fresh air right away.  Open all doors and windows wide.  Call the Washington Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for more help.

When the power goes out, it is tempting to use alternative methods to heat and cook food. Make sure you stay safe from CO poisoning!  If your power goes out, follow these four rules of CO safety:

1. MAKE SURE your generator is far from open windows and vents.
2. NEVER use a generator indoors, in garages or carports.
3. NEVER run your car inside or near the garage.
4. NEVER use a gas oven to heat your home.
5. NEVER bring a charcoal or gas grill indoors.

In cases when the power is out for days and weeks, people get desperate to stay warm and forget the importance of following safety measures, or they simply are just not aware of the dangers.  Please check on your family, friends and neighbors to make sure their methods of heating their home are not putting them at risk for CO poisoning in a storm.

For a one page flier to print and post, go to http://www.wapc.org/information/for-you-your-family/ and click on the link for Carbon Monoxide.   Carbon monoxide facts in multiple languages can be found at the King County web site.

Stay warm and stay safe this winter.

Dr. Robertson’s memorial service will be held January 7th at 1:00 PM in Hogness Auditorium at the University of Washington Health Sciences Building, Room A420, 1705 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA.

Dr. Robertson is greatly missed by our staff.  If you want to know more about him and his incredible contributions to pediatrics, toxicology, and injury prevention, you can read more at the following links-

http://www.clintox.org/documents/newsletters/AACT_December_2011.pdf

http://www.acmt.net/_Library/Newsletter_2011/December_2011_Newsletter.pdf

http://www.washington.edu/medicine/pediatrics/about/news

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016950689_robertsonobit07m.html

It’s that time of year again!  The decorations are going up, online stores are being swamped with orders, homes are being readied for visitors, and everybody is looking forward to their share of sparkle and excitement.  Friends and family are first in everyone’s mind.  But, what about me?  Being a big green dude with a scowling face is not all it’s cracked up to be.  I am forgotten until it’s too late.  I spend holidays stuck in the office with the staff taking calls.

YES!  There IS someone available 24/7 to help you when your family ate turkey cooked with the giblet bag still inside, or to reassure you when you find your toddler eating the package of silica gel that fell out of your new briefcase. My friends and I work every day, even holidays, to keep you safe.

But we can’t do it alone, we need your help.  Extra safeguards and supervision need to be taken when life is a bit more chaotic.  You gotta invite me over to help celebrate!  Unfortunately, I am only one lonely mascot and I can’t be in every home at once, so I suggest you use my helper elves- Mr. Yuk stickers.

Households across Washington State use stickers of me to reminded people to use and store dangerous items safely. My sticker also has the phone number: 1-800-222-1222.  Remember that thing about working 24/7?  Well, ya’ gotta have the number to make it work.  By the way, did you know services are available for people with hearing problems and for non-English speakers?

Since I’d prefer to be called before a disaster, here are a few things you can do to avoid having to apologize to your guests or take care of sick family members.  Follow these simple tips:
Two Hour Rule-  If your food has been out at room temperature for more than two hours, toss it.
Small Amounts-  Put food out in small amounts and refill as needed.
On Ice-  Keep dips, sauces, and other refrigerated-type appetizers on ice.
Fire it Up-  Keep hot foods hot with chafing dishes, slow cookers, and warming trays.
Lonely Leftovers-  Store leftovers separately and freeze if not eaten within 3-4 days.
Bottoms Up-  Children often drink from unattended and unfinished glasses of alcohol; empty all glasses and bottles and keep alcohol out of reach of minors.
Animal House-  Holiday foods and candy can make pets very sick.  Don’t offer your pet a treat that can ruin their holiday, and yours.   People eat people food, pets eat pet food. 

Part of the need your help thing?  Run a “poison safety check” and look for:
Purses / suitcases-  Visitors may bring their medications (or their beverage of choice) over to your place. Over 50% of calls to the Poison Center involve medications;  NEVER leave medicines on a nightstand – be sure to store them, and purses, out of reach of inquisitive children.  Provide your guests with a safe place to keep these items.  Even a big green dude knows this!
Santa stockings and Gifts-  These can contain things like perfume/cologne, chocolate, alcohol, caffeine,
potpourri, or lamp oil- all of which could harm curious children or pets.
Party leftovers (I can’t say this enough, so I’m gonna repeat it for those with hard heads)-  Clean-up immediately following all holiday parties so left-over food, alcohol, and other potentially harmful items are out of reach of young children; small children often drink partially filled glasses, regardless of the contents, when they are thirsty.  Empty ashtrays often and clean them when the party is over. It just takes a few cigarette butts to send a child to the hospital.

Now, about Carbon Monoxide.  Everybody loves a little atmosphere, and we all like to stay warm.   But, if the power goes out, remember never burn charcoal inside your homes, even in a fireplace.  Do not use an unvented gas or kerosene heater and never use gasoline powered equipment, like generators, indoors.  Never use a gas oven to heat your home, even for a short time.  Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, nausea and vomiting, weakness, fatigue, and confusion and can mimic the flu.  If several people in the household become ill at the same time, it may not be “just the flu” or a case of “food poisoning”.

Bet you didn’t know:
Christmas Tree Ornaments-  These are not poison hazards, but a young child could choke on small parts.
Tinsel, Icicles, Glitter & Garlands-  These items are made of plastic, aluminum or tin. They are not a problem if swallowed, but can be a problem in the ears, up the nose, etc.
Poinsettias-  These pretty holiday plants have a bad rep, they are not really poisonous, but the sap may irritate the mouth or skin of some people.
Holiday Berries & Mistletoe Berries-  If eaten in excess, these both may cause a stomach ache—but that’s about all.
Evergreen Trees-  The needles are nontoxic, but their sharpness may cause discomfort.  However, beware of homemade Christmas tree preservatives since they, if consumed, may be toxic.                                                 Artificial Snow-  Repeatedly inhaling the aerosol could cause breathing problems, but the snow is not toxic.
Candles-  Wax candles are nontoxic—and not very tasty!
Angel Hair-  This may irritate the eyes, skin, or mouth but it is made of spun glass and is not toxic.
If you ever have a question about what you are putting in your home, you know who to call and when to call-  1-800-222-1222,  24/7.

Also, be sure to take the number with you when you go over the river and through the woods to Grandma’s house.  Visiting can result in an increased risk of children being poisoned.  1-800-222-1222 will connect you to the Poison Center covering your calling area– in or outside Washington State.  So, if your littlest angel just sipped at a reed diffuser, or Grandma accidentally took her medicine twice, or your reindeer was caught lapping up the eggnog, call me and the staff at the Washington Poison Center.  You will be automatically connected to specially trained poison experts who are sharing their holiday with you to keep you safe.

There has been a lot of controversy lately about the safety of apple juice.  Specifically about contamination with arsenic, and predisposing children to ill health effects, like diabetes.  Here are a few bullet points I think are important to note:

• Arsenic is always in the environment and everyone has been exposed to it, however most arsenic exposures are to non toxic forms of arsenic.  Serious arsenic poisoning is rare.
• The FDA has been tracking total arsenic contamination in apple and other juices for about six years.  They first test the juice sample for total (organic and inorganic) arsenic to see if the levels are too high.  If they are too high, the FDA re-tests the sample for its inorganic arsenic content, the type of arsenic that is poisonous.
• According to the FDA, it is inappropriate to draw conclusions about the safety of a food based on the total arsenic level since in most instances organic arsenic, which again is essentially harmless and not absorbed by the body, makes up the bulk of the total arsenic in foods like juice.
• The association with juice and diabetes is misleading.  Fruit juices contain sugar and we know that excess sugar intake is associated with diabetes.
• Good nutrition and exercise are important for strong growth, healthy development, and lifelong wellbeing for children.

Do my grandkids drink apple juice?  Yes.  But, do they have a steady diet of apple juice?  No.  Of course, they don’t have a steady diet of spinach either (although it is offered).  I believe children should be encouraged to try a wide variety of foods in their diet.  This way they will be provided with nutrients from many sources and learn to develop likes and dislikes on their own.  If my grand-daughter doesn’t like orange juice, I want it to be because she has tried it and made the choice herself, not because I don’t like it.  I want my grandson to enjoy his apple juice, as well as his milk, his water, his grape juice, and yes, his occasional soda.  All things in moderation.  Children are never too young to start learning healthy dietary habits.

I also believe children should be encouraged to increase their activity and develop healthy play habits.  Kids with healthy play habits are more physically fit; they sleep better and are better able to handle physical and emotional challenges.  These kids have strong bones and muscles, are less likely to be overweight, and have decreased their risk of type 2 diabetes.  They may drink apple juice, but they burn off empty calories by playing hard, riding a bike, playing ball, or jumping rope.  Of course kids, like grandmothers, also need down time; time to color, read a book, and yes, watch TV or play a video game.  All things in moderation.  Children are never too young to start learning healthy play habits.

Do I need to mention that kids learn by example?  Do I have to state the obvious, that adults need to develop the same healthy dietary and play habits?  We also need to develop, and pass on to our children and grandchildren, healthy awareness habits.  We need to be aware that not everything we read or hear is always completely accurate.  We need to be aware of what our children are doing and eating.  We need to be aware of the example we are setting for our kids.  We need to be aware of resources available to us.  And last, we need to be aware that we will make mistakes.

Will I still give my grandkids apple juice?  Absolutely.  And, then I’ll have them brush their teeth.

The Washington Poison Center mourns the passing of our founder and dear friend, Dr. William O. Robertson, 86.

Dr. Robertson was very influential throughout his six-decade career in pediatrics, toxicology, teaching, and poison prevention. He began his career in Rochester, New York, but soon began teaching pediatrics at Yale University before heading to Ohio State University (OSU) to chair the Department of Pediatrics.  In the mid 1950s, Dr. Robertson came to the Pacific Northwest and started working for the University of Washington (UW), Seattle Children’s and started the poison center. Over the next five decades he held multiple and concurrent positions including: attending physician, the Director of Medical Education at Seattle Children’s, the Chair of Pediatrics at the UW, and Medical Director and Medical Director Emeritus for the Washington Poison Center.

Dr. Robertson, also known as Dr. R, was one of the guiding forces behind the American Association of Poison Control Centers and served as the Secretary / Treasurer for years.  “Dr. Robertson was a tireless defender of poison prevention. Unassuming and intensely loyal to his co-workers and collaborators, it was easy to take his leadership in toxicology and his considerable accomplishments, for granted,” said Jim Williams, Executive Director of the WAPC. Dr. R published many books and well over 550 articles, in addition to being instrumental in Washington State’s Anti-Scribbling legislation, making it illegal for doctors to scribble or to write sloppy prescriptions that could result in drug errors. He was also a force behind the national drug identification legislation marking all pills for quick identification by health care providers and law enforcement.

Dr. William Hurley, Medical Director of the WAPC observed that, “Dr. Robertson did an astonishing amount of work for the benefit of patients, especially children, who were exposed to toxins. He spent decades doing this work and with such passion and a level of insight and logic that isn’t always present in medicine today. When he saw something that wasn’t right, or put kids at risk, he had a strong desire to fix it. He was a wonderful physician, superb teacher, and a great leader to many in the toxicology field.”

Dr. Hurley noted that when discussing tricky cases, Dr. R often said “this reminds me of what we used to do 30 or 40 years ago.” His good friend Dr. Ruth Lawrence, with whom he attended medical school, added that “Bill  was a brilliant student, a real scientist, and a genuine friend. He was greatly respected in his field.” She also noted that pediatricians like Dr. Robertson and herself, led the movement to create poison centers and were not only practitioners, but true scientists, making each case a teachable moment.

A WAPC Call Room Supervisor said that “Dr. R always considered the patient first. He was not quick to send patients into emergency rooms and always chose the least stressful approach for the patient.  Dr. R had fifty years of experience to draw upon, which often gave him a unique perspective; he was able to recall treatments that had been used in decades past that are still relevant today, treatments that younger healthcare professionals are not always aware of. ”

While Dr. R was not the creator of Mr. Yuk, the iconic figure that warns children and adults of poison danger, but he certainly was an early adopter and supporter.

Dr. Robertson was the consummate gentleman, and always wore a three-piece suit and a plaid bowtie. He was well known for his wicked sense of humor, love of salt, all things chocolate, and his fierce devotion and love for his family.  Active up to the last months of his life, he played a weekly game of tennis with his grandkids. The Washington Poison Center staff will greatly miss Dr. R and send our condolences to his family and friends.

November is American Diabetes month. The American Diabetes Association reports that 26 million children and adults in America are living with diabetes, and another 79 million are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

And, if we don’t do something about it, the American Diabetes Association estimates that by 2050, 1 in 3 Americans will be diabetic. You can do something about this by  maintaining a healthy lifestyle (as defined by the American Diabetes Association http://bit.ly/shuvdj) changing your diet, increasing your level of physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight.

If, like myself, you are already in the diabetic category, don’t give up hope.  By making those same changes listed above, and taking the medications your doctor prescribes,  you can help control your diabetes.  So, why does the Poison Center care? Because medication mistakes with insulin are on the rise.

Did you know that the Washington Poison Center can help with any medication mistake, including insulin overdose? If you take the wrong insulin at the wrong dose,  call us and we will quickly assess whether you need to be seen in a health care facility or whether we can manage you at home.  If you can be managed at home, our friendly staff will instruct you on what to do next and will call you and check on you every hour,  for up to 24 hours!

For more information about American Diabetes Month:

http://www.diabetes.org/in-my-community/programs/american-diabetes-month/

Free diabetes screenings on November 29th at:

Uwajimaya Seattle
600 5th Avenue South, Seattle
Tuesday, 11/29, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The citizens of Washington State and the Poison Center lost a dear friend recently.  Senator Scott White (46th District) passed away suddenly  on October 21st from undiagnosed heart problems.  Sen. White served first as the representative of the area in which the poison center is physically located, and then, as our Senator.

Sen. White was enthusiastic and always had time to talk to us and to our poster winners. We echo Gov. Chris Gregoire’s statement to the Seattle Times, “My heart goes out to the family of Senator Scott White tonight.  Scott was a dedicated public servant and champion of important issues in Olympia. He was never afraid to tackle the difficult problems — and did so with a positive attitude, which I always appreciated.”

We appreciated the deep curiosity Sen. White displayed about all subjects, including poison prevention for the citizens of Washington.

Breaking News!!!!!!

We are fast approaching our annual event—An Evening of Fine Wine & Friends!  Quick recap, its on Friday, October 7, 6:30pm-9:30pm at Fremont Studios, 155 N 35th St, Seattle 98103.  Morning Traffic Anchor Tracy Taylor of KING 5 News, famous for her Lil’ Traffic Buddies Program will be co-hosting this year’s event with Mr. Yuk—Of Course!—so its guaranteed to be fabulous and fun!

And the fabulousness doesn’t stop there—we have more unique auction items than ever before.  Have you always wanted to meet and rub elbows with the Governor?  We have two tickets to the Governor’s Christmas Party at the Executive Mansion, where you can even have your picture taken with her.

How about Mr. Yuk?  Haven’t you always wanted Mr. Yuk at your child’s school or your work place?  For the first time ever, we are auctioning off an appearance by our chartreuse scowling countenance mascot—sorry folks, no birthday parties or bachelorette parties.

And what about these?  Have you seen these?

The Man Kit

(You need this!)

Seattle Center Memorabilia from Next 50

(Zombie glasses!)

 Washington Pride

And many, many more, so stayed tuned…or, better yet!  Buy tickets: http://conta.cc/MrYuk4ever

Cheers!  Terri & Leslie, Staff

Welcome to the Washington Poison Center blog.  The staff (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other poison specialists) answering the phones in our Call Center refer to themselves as the Poison Nation.

Poison Nation, including Mr. Yuk, will all contribute to this blog, providing you with a variety of points of view, new knowledge and some entertainment.  We may include alerts about a substance, or a trend we might be seeing that you ought to know about, basic information, reminders, or events where you can find Mr. Yuk and his friends.

So don’t be a stranger – we’d love to have you come back often and add your two cents to the comments!

(Please keep in mind, this is a family-oriented web site, so we will be moderating this blog page and will not approve inappropriate comments.)