Public Education

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Each year, America’s poison centers receive more than 2 million exposure calls. Most of these are accidental and preventable, which is why public education is so important.

If you will be teaching others about poison prevention, please take our FREE online training course. Once you complete all modules, you will have access to our Resource Center with lesson plans for various ages and helpful handouts.

Teaching Children

Educators play a key role in providing information to parents, grandparents, caretakers, and others to prevent or minimize accidental injury in children. Check out the activity sheets and games below for fun ways to learn about poison prevention. You can also visit our Child Safety Tips page for more information.

Helpful Videos for Young Children

STOP! Ask First.

Spike’s Poison Prevention Adventure

Activity Sheets for Kids

This section includes poison prevention programs, games, and activity sheets that may be used. All documents are in PDF format.

  • Find the Poison (PDF)– A connect-the-dots activity that teaches children not to eat unknown plants.
  • Find the Safe Path (PDF)– A maze activity that teaches children how to make safe choices around poisons.
  • Hidden Hazards (PDF)– Highlights common household items that may pose poisoning risks to children.
  • Kitchen Patrol (PDF)– An activity that helps children identify potential poison hazards in the kitchen.
  • Mixed Up Mess (PDF)– A matching activity that teaches children to recognize safe and unsafe items.
  • Poison Search (PDF)– A word search activity that helps children learn about poison safety.
  • Venom Crossing (PDF)– A maze activity that teaches children how to stay safe around venomous animals.

Games

  • Poison Play Scenarios (PDF)– Role-play scenarios that help children practice safe responses to potential poison situations.
  • Poison Jeopardy (PDF)– A quiz-style game that helps reinforce poison safety concepts in a fun, interactive way.

Programs

  • Risk Watch – A comprehensive safety program that teaches children how to prevent injuries, including poison exposures.
  • Safety Camps – Interactive programs that teach children important safety skills, including poison prevention.
  • Talking Points – Key messages and guidance to help educators and caregivers teach poison prevention.

Educational Resource for 5th through 8th Graders

  • Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicine Literacy Program: A program designed to educate students about medication safety. Learn more on the OTC website.

Teaching Seniors

  • Older adults have an increased risk of food poisoning, medication errors, drug interactions, and adverse effects. These risks can be reduced through education. Visit our Senior Safety Tips page to learn more.
  • You can also visit our Materials page to download resources from the Senior Information section.

Need help accessing these materials? We are working to make all documents on this page accessible. If you need this information in another format or would like to request edits, please call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 or contact us—we’re happy to help.

For poison emergencies or questions, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222. Available 24/7.