For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 2, 2001
National Poison Prevention Week, 2001
By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation
National Poison Prevention Week alerts
Americans to the dangers of accidental childhood poisonings and to the
measures that help prevent poisonings. During the 40 years
since the Congress authorized the annual proclamation of National
Poison Prevention Week, our Nation has seen a dramatic decrease in
deaths from childhood poisoning. In 1962, nearly 450
children died from poisoning after they accidentally swallowed
medicines or household chemicals. From 1993 through 1997, an
average of 36 children died each year from poisoning. This
dramatic reduction in poisoning fatalities is a significant public
health success.
However, the death of even
one child from poisoning should be prevented. According to
the American Association of Poison Control Centers, more than 1 million
children each year are exposed to potentially poisonous medicines and
household chemicals. The first line of defense is
child-resistant packaging required by the Consumer Product Safety
Commission for many medicines and household chemicals. But
this special packaging is "child-resistant," not
"child-proof." Therefore, potential poisons must be locked
up away from children. And if a poisoning occurs, local
poison control centers should be called immediately.
The Poison Prevention Week Council brings
together 35 national organizations to distribute poison prevention
information to pharmacies, public health departments, and safety
organizations nationwide. National Poison Prevention Week
has been very effective, but there is more to do. We all should use
and properly re-close child-resistant packaging, keep poisonous
substances locked up away from children, and keep available poison
control center phone numbers next to the telephone. These
measures can help prevent tragedies.
To
encourage the American people to learn more about the dangers of
accidental poisonings and to take more preventive measures, the
Congress, by joint resolution approved September 26, 1961 (75 Stat.
681), has authorized and requested the President to issue a
proclamation designating the third week of March each year as "National
Poison Prevention Week."
NOW, THEREFORE, I,
GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby
proclaim the week beginning March 18, 2001, as National Poison
Prevention Week. I call upon all Americans to observe this
week by participating in appropriate ceremonies and activities and by
learning how to prevent accidental poisonings among children.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my
hand this second day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand
one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and twenty-fifth.
GEORGE
W. BUSH
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