NIPAW 2013: "Be A Superhero In Your Home" Event

The Alliance for Consumer Education partnered with the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) and YMCA of Metropolitan Washington to host "Be A Superhero In Your Home" in recognition of National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week.

On Friday, March 22, 2013 around 200 children were at the YMCA Arlington to learn how to "Be A Superhero in Their Home". The highlight of the event was a visit from Batman- a Poison Prevention Superhero! Arriving in his 1966 replica Batmobile, Batman met with the children to give poison prevention advice like asking an adult before consuming something, not putting products that may harm you into your body, and by reading directions and labels to ensure products are being used in the correct way.

Children worked their way through the following seven stations to become a "Superhero in the Home".

PhD Station

Station 1: PhD Station: The YMCA PhD On The Move Van had children running through obstacles to reach cones that featured two similiar looking pictures. Children had to knock over the cone with the picture they thought was safe to consume. 

Superhero Masks Station

Station 2: Superhero Masks: Since children were becoming superheroes in the home, this station allowed children to create their own superhero identity by having them create a superhero mask. 

Which One Can I Taste? Station

Station 3: Which One Can I Taste?: Children were shown two pictures of similar looking items. One of the items is a consumable product that is ok to eat, while the other is a product from the home that serves a great purpose, but is something one should not eat. Children were asked which they thought was safe to taste. The children were able to see how similar items can look and if they are unsure of what something is they need to ask permission from an adult before touching or tasting. 

Safe to Taste Collages

Station 4: Safe to Taste Collage: Children searched through magazines and newspapers to find pictures of items that are safe to taste and not safe to taste. They then added the images to group collage boards that were presented at the end of the event, as a visual reminder of what the kids learned throughout the day.

Batman meeting with CSPA
President Chris Cathcart and
his family during the Batman Station.

Station 5: Batman: Children had the opportunity to meet with Batman in a small group setting. Batman explained why he is a Poison Prevention Superhero, and gave out Batman goodies to the kids!

How Can I be a superhero in the home...

Station 6: How Can I be a Superhero In The Home?: Children discussed and created a list of ways they can be poison prevention superheroes at home. Relying on the information they had gathered throughout the other stations, children talked about ways to protect themselves and their families- like reading labels and asking before touching.

I Make A Good Superhero Because...

Station 7: I Make a GoodSuperhero in the Home Because...: Children chose one way they can be a superhero in the home and either drew or wrote what they will do. Children also signed "Thank you" posters to Batman thanking him for coming to the event.






Thank you posters to Batman!



All children left with an ACE Goodie Bag which included Inhalant Abuse and Poison Prevention materials, YMCA materials, and a special gift bag from Batman!

For more pictures of the event please visit ACE's Facebook here. Also, for more information on NIPAW and inhalant abuse prevention please visit www.inhalant.org/NIPAW.