Oklahoma City, OK -- Two Oklahoma children received honors in the National Poison Prevention Week Council’s annual poster contest. First grader Aubrey Brown of Maryetta School in Stilwell won first place in the contest for her work titled “I’m Not Lion! Lock Up Poisons.” Aubrey’s poster creatively illustrates the message to prevent poisonings by keeping potential poisons locked up. The winning poster will be showcased across the country and featured in the council’s March 2009 Poison Prevention Week activities.

Hannah Sager, a third grader at Balko Elementary School in Balko, won third place in the younger division of the national contest. Hannah’s poster drives home the very important “ABCs of Poison Prevention.”

The National Poison Prevention Week Council, in conjunction with the American Association of Poison Control Centers, sponsors the poster contest each year as part of a continuous effort to educate communities about the prevention of poisonings in the home. The contest is open to two groups: children ages 8 and under, and children ages 9 through 13.

“Children can be a powerful force for education within their family. We are delighted to work with the poison control centers to encourage children to participate in educating their community about this important issue,” said Kristin Lolmaugh, chair of the Poison Prevention Week Council.

More than 2 million poisonings are reported each year to the 61 poison control centers across the country. More than 90 percent of these poisonings occur in the home. The majority of nonfatal poisonings occur in children younger than 6. However, poisonings are one of the leading causes of death among adults.

Poison centers aim to help eliminate thousands of needless and costly emergency room visits by offering free and confidential emergency poison consultation to callers of the nationwide hotline at (800) 222-1222. Physicians, pharmacists and nurses provide emergency treatment advice and answer drug or poison information questions.

National Poison Prevention Week, held the third week in March each year, is nationally designated to highlight poison danger and prevention.

For additional information on the poster contest and steps the public can take to help prevent accidental poisonings, visit the council’s Web site at www.poisonprevention.org.