A controlled field trial of a poisoning prevention method.

A controlled field trial was conducted to determine the effectiveness of Mr Yuk labels as a poisoning prevention aid for children aged 2 to 3 years. Comparison of poisoning rates and levels of household hazard in a group of 583 families supplied with Mr Yuk labels and a control group of 543 families not given Mr Yuk labels failed to reveal any significant differences. Consumer reactions to the program were mixed: approximately 60% of users gave a favorable evaluation of the method and 40% either did not use the method or made adverse comments. Examination of the reasons for the failure of the experimental manipulation suggested that three factors were involved: parents failed to provide an adequate coverage of all poisons in the home; a significant number of poisonings occurred with substances that could not be labeled with Mr Yuk; and, in a minority of cases, clear failures of the method were observed. Results of the study do not support the view that simply supplying Mr Yuk stickers to families with young children reduces risks of accidental poisoning. However, the method may be effective with older children or as an adjunct to an integrated poisoning prevention campaign.