[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 6, 2001)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 13643-13644]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-5671]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 44 / Tuesday, March 6, 2001 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 13643]]


                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.

[[Page 13644]]

                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

[FR Doc. 01-5671
Filed 3-5-01; 11:47 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P