Was that a Skittle® or a Coricidin® tablet? Was that a cup of apple juice or Pine Sol®? Each year, the Illinois Poison Center receives thousands of calls regarding medications and household cleaning products. More than half of these calls concern children under the age of 6. And many times, it’s a matter of someone not being able to tell one product apart from another.

Children are naturally curious and like to explore by touching and putting things in their mouths. Young children who cannot yet read have difficulty distinguishing between things that are similar in appearance. That is why some products, which can look and smell exactly like candy or beverages, are so dangerous.

Look-alike products are always an important and relevant topic to integrate into your education sessions. Below are some products that can help demonstrate the dangers associated with look-alikes.

Solids/Medicines
• Parmesan cheese and scouring powder (Ajax®, Comet®, etc.)
• M & M’s® and Advil®
• Milk chocolate squares and laxatives
• SweeTART® and Tums® or Mylanta®
• Skittles® and Coricidin®

Tips to share to prevent poisonings from look-alikes
To help parents avoid potential poisonings, share these prevention tips:
• Store food and non-food items separately to avoid leakage and reduce any confusion among items.
• Keep all potential poisons up high and out of the sight and reach of children.
• Keep all chemicals in their original containers; never transfer them to soda bottles or other beverage containers.
• Never call medicine candy or make a game out of taking it.
• Teach children never to put anything in their mouth without asking first.
• Post the number to the Illinois Poison Center (1-800-222-1222) near all phones in the house and in other handy locations.

Learn how to create your very own look-a-like display board by visiting the educator resource center at www.IllinoisPoisonCenter.org/outreach

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