Public Education

Each year, America’s 53 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 of the training modules, you will have access to our Resource Center, which contains 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. Also, visit our Child Safety Tips page for more safety information.

Helpful Videos for Young Children

STOP! Ask First.

Spike’s Poison Prevention Adventure

Activity Sheets for Kids

This section provides information specific to teaching children. It includes poison prevention programs, games, and activity sheets that may be used. All of the following 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)
• Hidden Hazards (PDF)– A maze activity that teaches children how to make safe choices around poisons.
• 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.
• Poison Jeopardy for Teens and Adults
• Pills or Candy

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 critical approach to educating fifth through eighth grade students about medication safety. Find more information and resources on the OTC website.

Johnny’s Ambassadors

• Recordings of previous Johnny’s Ambassadors Expert Webinar Series for parents to help prevent youth substance abuse, mental illness, and suicide can be viewed here.

Teaching Seniors

• Older adults have increased risk of food poisoning, medication error, drug interactions, and adverse effects. These can be reduced through education, so please 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.