National Burn Awareness Week, 2001

Proclamation 7407 of February 7, 2001

National Burn Awareness Week, 2001

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Burn injuries are a serious problem in the United
States. Each year, over 3,000 people die and 16,000 are
injured by fires that start in the home. These fires
cost the Nation over $18 billion. Tragically, children,
the elderly, and persons with disabilities are those
most likely to become victims of serious burns.
Children are particularly vulnerable. Each year, about
800 children under the age of 15 die of fire-related
causes and about 500 of these deaths are to children
under the age of 5 years. In fact, children under age 5
have a death rate from fire more than twice the
national average.

All Americans can make their homes safer by making sure
they have a working smoke alarm. About 90 percent of
U.S. households have smoke alarms. However, a recent
survey found that smoke alarms in 20 percent of those
households--about 16 million--were not working, mostly
because the battery was dead or missing. Those families
who have not yet done so should place a smoke alarm
inside each sleeping room and on each level of a multi-
story home and make sure the alarms are tested monthly
and the batteries are replaced when necessary.

We should also learn what to do in the event of fire,
including the ``stop, drop, and roll'' maneuver that
can help prevent serious burn injuries. Those families
that have not yet done so should make plans for
escaping a house fire--and every American family should
review and practice the plan regularly.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
helps to keep children and families safe from products
that pose fire dangers. CPSC activities have
contributed to a decline in fires and fire deaths over
the past several years. For example, CPSC's standard
for child-resistant lighters has helped reduce fire
deaths from children playing with lighters by 43
percent since 1994.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States of America, do hereby proclaim February 4
through February 10, 2001, as National Burn Awareness
Week. I call upon all Americans to observe this week by
participating in appropriate ceremonies and activities
and by learning how to prevent burn injuries,
especially to children.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
seventh day of February, 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.
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