We can’t get enough of these stories, so we’ve extended the deadline by ONE WEEK! Submit your story by Sunday, February 11.
After 17 years of incredible posters from young Washington artists, we’re shaking this year’s contest up… For our 18th Annual Contest, students from Kindergarten to 8th grade are invited to take up their pens and join our Story Contest! We want you to send us short stories on household poisoning prevention and the Washington Poison Center’s role in keeping everyone safe. We can’t wait to see the stories you’ll create that educate, entertain, and inspire for a safer, healthier community!
Contest Schedule:
The winner will receive 5 prizes…
The purpose of our story contest is the same as our mission: to prevent and reduce harm from poisoning through expertise, collaboration, and education.
How will this contest prevent and reduce harm from poisoning? By participating, you will:
- Increase your knowledge of household poisoning and prevention
- Increase your knowledge of the services the Washington Poison Center provides
- Develop language around household poisoning prevention
- Develop awareness of and confidence in your personal role in poison prevention
Tell us a 250-500 word story that meets these objectives:
- Your story must involve a realistic household poisoning scenario. Suggestions include:
- An accident with a medication
- An accident with a household chemical (eating, drinking, or touching)
- A bite or sting
- A plant or mushroom
- Your story must include one or more of the following poison prevention strategies:
- Safe storage:
- Keeping potentially harmful household substances out of sight and reach of kids
- Locking up medicines and harmful substances
- Storing products in their original, labeled containers
- Use of Mr. Yuk stickers
- Reading labels/instructions closely
- Safe storage:
- Your story must mention calling the Washington Poison Center’s Poison Helpline: 1-800-222-1222
In addition to meeting objectives, all entries must follow these guidelines:
- Include a title
- Be 250-500 words in length
- Meet eligibility requirements: any Washington student in Kindergarten – 8th grade. Students may be home schooled, in private school, or public school.
- AI generated stories will not be accepted
- Only one story submission per child
- We welcome parent, caregiver, and teacher involvement! We encourage you to support your young storytellers throughout the story development and submission process. Please let their imaginations lead, though, so the stories are authentic expressions of their creativity and insights.
- The Washington Poison Center reserves the right to edit the story for length and clarity
Ready… set… write!
Need some inspiration?
- Review our Poison Safety Checklist (available in 11 languages!) for a list of potential “poisons”
- Visit our website, Facebook, or Instagram for information on common household poisoning scenarios
- Read about Mr. Yuk’s history here
- Explore our poison safety activities to learn more
Submit your entry by February 11
- Submission format:
- All submissions must include the story entered in to the submission form’s text field
- Optional: submit an audio recording of the story
- A parent or legal guardian needs to complete the submission form
- Emailed submissions will not be judged
Wait for the winner to be announced!
- The Washington Poison Center will call the parent/guardian of the winner on March 12 (via the phone number listed on the entry form)
- The winner will also be announced on the Washington Poison Center’s Facebook, Instagram, and in a press release
Resources for schools & organizations
- Letter to parents
- Social media or newsletter graphics:
- Poison Safety Curriculum on Kahoot!
- Kindergarten – 2nd Grade Lesson
- Lesson script
- Kahoot! link for classes/groups
- 3rd – 6th Grade Lesson
- Lesson script
- Kahoot! link for classes/groups
- Instructions on how to use a Washington Poison Center Kahoot!
- Kindergarten – 2nd Grade Lesson
- Check out a Yuk Box, which includes a variety of materials visually demonstrating how similar packaging is for certain food products and poisonous products. Examples include a milk bottle and bleach bottle, candy and medicines, and more. Yuk Boxes are available across the state. Find a box near you.
Have questions? Email mryuk@wapc.org.