Do you know what poison dangers to look out for during the summer months? Test your summer safety poison IQ with the following quiz developed by the American Association of Poison Control Centers.

You may not know the answer to all of these questions, but the experts at your local poison center do. For the first time ever, you can reach a local poison center, anywhere in the U.S., by calling a single toll-free number: 1-800-222-1222 , twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Callers are automatically connected to the closest poison center. Specially trained nurses, pharmacists, and doctors provide immediate treatment advice for poison emergencies. They also answer questions about poisons and poison prevention. The service is free and confidential.

To Test Your Summer Safety IQ, select one answer for each of the following ten questions:

1.) You bought a tube of pain-relieving cream for the sunburn you got yesterday. You find your toddler sucking on the end of it. What should you do?

A. Nothing. Even if she swallowed some, it's just a little bit.
B. Check the tube to see if you need to buy some more.
C. Even a little bit of these creams can be dangerous. Call the poison center right away: 1-800-222-1222!

2.) You've hacked out some underbrush for use as fire starter in the park's charcoal grill. Is this a good idea?

A. It's OK if your local fire marshal approves.
B. No, because it won't taste as good as hickory or mesquite.
C. No, if there's even a chance of poison ivy in there.

3.) Your family is enjoying a camping trip with friends. A few people go hiking in the woods and bring back something that looks like a carrot. Should you put it in the campfire stew?

A. Sure. Carrots taste great, and they're good for you, too.
B. Maybe. Nothing very poisonous grows in the woods.
C. Not unless there's an ambulance standing by!! That "carrot" could be hemlock, and eating it could be fatal.

4.) A storm is coming and you run outside quickly to put the kids' bikes away. A snake bites you on your bare feet. What should you do?

A Find the snake and kill it.
B. Call the poison center at 1-800-222-1222 .
C. Since most snakes aren't poisonous, wait to see what happens.

5.) You are at a neighborhood barbecue. Your youngster gets into some charcoal lighter fluid and you think he might have swallowed some. Is this dangerous?

A. No, it's just a clear liquid.
B. It depends on how old your child is.
C. Yes. It can easily get into the lungs and cause pneumonia. This could be fatal.

6.) You're outside spraying your lawn with insect killer when your daughter sneaks up behind you. You turn around in surprise-and your daughter gets that bug spray all over her skin. What should you do?

A. Wash it for 15-20 minutes with running water. Call the poison center at 1-800- 222-1222 .
B. Wait to see if she gets a rash.
C. Nothing. Garden chemicals are only poisonous if swallowed.

7.) You're at a family picnic. Your two-year-old son decides to drink from that frosty pink pitcher of alcoholic punch. What should you do?

A. Call the poison center right away at 1-800-222-1222 . Alcohol is very poisonous for children.
B. Nothing. He'll just take a longer nap, and you can get in a few more innings of softball.
C. Don't worry. It's a hot day and he'll just sweat it out.

8.) You are visiting the grandparents' home. Your youngster tells you how good those white candies are-and offers you some. You look around and discover that those "candies" are grandmom's pills. Now what??

A. Call the poison center immediately at 1-800-222-1222 .
B. Wait until grandmom gets home so you can ask her what they are.
C. Don't worry. Grandmom is in pretty good health, so she wouldn't be taking any dangerous medicines.

9.) Last-minute company is coming. You're short on mushrooms for dinner. Should you pick those white ones that are growing in your lawn?

A. Only if they match pictures of safe mushrooms in an encyclopedia.
B. Only if your neighbor says they're OK.
C. Don't do it! Eating some types of wild mushrooms can cause severe liver damage, or even be fatal.

10.) It's the Fourth of July and you are celebrating with friend and family at an outdoor party. What should you do to avoid food poisoning?

A. Keep cold foods cold, in a cooler and in the shade.
B. Keep hot foods hot.
C. Keep hot and cold foods at room temperature for NO MORE THAN two hours. (No more than one hour if the air or room temperature is above 90 degrees.)
D. Keep raw meat and poultry, and their juices, separate from other raw foods and from cooked foods.
E. Wash your hands before handling food.
F. All of the above.


Thank you for taking our summer safety quiz. Please check your answers and review the explanations for additional poison safety information.