National Poison Prevention Week, 2001

Proclamation 7412 of 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
first 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.

(Presidential Sig.)B