National Poison Prevention Week, 2017

Proclamation 9578 of March 17, 2017

National Poison Prevention Week, 2017

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The United States has made great strides in preventing
unintentional childhood poisoning deaths. Thanks to
combined national, State, and local efforts over the
course of years, Americans have reduced childhood
fatalities related to accidental poisoning in the
United States from 200 deaths per year to 27 per year,
which is an 88 percent decline. From a public health
perspective, this is a resounding achievement.

Fifty-five years ago, President John F. Kennedy noted
that virtually all deaths attributable to accidental
poisoning could be prevented. He was right--we as a
society must do much more to prevent tragic and
preventable loss of life from occurring. Ensuring the
safety and security of the American people requires
that we unequivocally commit to a continuation of the
successful policies that have reduced accidental
childhood poisonings and injuries.

This week we warn all Americans about unintended
exposure to poisons and the threat of household items
unintentionally being turned into deadly weapons. This
is an important reminder--and one that could save
lives.

To encourage Americans to learn more about the dangers
of unintentional poisonings and to take appropriate
preventative measures, on September 26, 1961, the
Congress, by joint resolution (75 Stat. 681),
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, DONALD J. TRUMP, do hereby proclaim
March 19 through March 25, 2017, as National Poison
Prevention Week. I call upon all Americans to observe
this week by taking actions to safeguard our families
from poisonous products, chemicals, and medicines found
in our homes.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
seventeenth day of March, in the year of our Lord two
thousand seventeen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and forty-
first.