[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 28 (Friday, February 9, 2001)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 9761-9762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-3589]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 28 / Friday, February 9, 2001 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 9761]]


                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.

[[Page 9762]]

                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.
                [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR08FE01.012
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)  

[FR Doc. 01-3589
Filed 2-8-01;11:50 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P