For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 14, 2003
National Poison Prevention Week, 2003
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
More than 40 years ago, President John F. Kennedy signed into law
National Poison Prevention Week. The annual observance of this week
continues to help American families learn how to protect their children
from accidental poisonings.
Every year more than one million children under 5 years of age are
exposed to poisonous household chemicals and medicines, and an
estimated 30 children die as a result of these accidental poisonings.
Almost every child poisoning could be prevented. The death of even one
child from poisoning is too many and for this reason, Poison Prevention
Week Council members repre-senting 37 national organizations coordinate
events each year to raise awareness of childhood poisonings and to
encourage preventative steps that all Americans can take to protect the
lives of our children.
The theme of this year's National Poison Prevention Week, "Children
Act Fast . . . So Do Poisons!" reminds parents that they always must be
watchful when household chemicals or drugs are stored and used. Many
incidents occur when adults are using a product and are distracted for
only a brief time. Unfortunately, it only takes a moment for a small
child to grab and swallow something that could be poisonous. To guard
against these accidents, we must keep medicines and household chemicals
locked up, out of sight and reach of young children at all times. The
Consumer Product Safety Commission requires child-resistant packaging
for certain toxic medicines and chemicals, but it is vital we recognize
that the packaging is not "child-proof," and must be monitored with
great care.
When poisoning is suspected, individuals should immediately call
the national toll-free number, 1-800-222-1222 to speak to the nearest
poison control center. This telephone number and local poison control
centers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can provide
life-saving emergency advice. Regional Poison Control Centers in the
United States provide information on recommended treatment for the
ingestion of household products and medicines, and parents and those
responsible for taking care of children are encouraged to keep the
national toll-free number on their telephones. In cases of an
emergency, callers should remain calm and provide the Poison Control
Center expert with essential information about the victim's age,
weight, existing health conditions, and details about the substance
that was inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed by the victim. Through our
vigilance, we can work together to help stop child poisonings and give
every child an opportunity for a bright future.
To encourage Americans to learn more about the dangers of
accidental poisonings and to take more preventive measures, the
Congress, by joint resolution approved September 26, 1961, as amended
(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 March 16 through 22, 2003, 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 poisonings among children.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day
of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-seventh.
GEORGE W. BUSH
# # #
|