[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 52 (Tuesday, March 18, 2003)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 13217-13218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-6655]



[[Page 13215]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Part VI





The President





-----------------------------------------------------------------------



Proclamation 7653--National Poison Prevention Week, 2003
 
 
                         Presidential Documents 
 
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 52 / Tuesday, March 18, 2003 / 
Presidential Documents  

 ___________________________________________________________________

 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 13217]]

                Proclamation 7653 of March 14, 2003

                
National Poison Prevention Week, 2003

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                More than 40 years ago, President John F. Kennedy 
                signed into law National Poison Prevention Week. The 
                annual observance of this week continues to help 
                American families learn how to protect their children 
                from accidental poisonings.

                Every year more than one million children under 5 years 
                of age are exposed to poisonous household chemicals and 
                medicines, and an estimated 30 children die as a result 
                of these accidental poisonings. Almost every child 
                poisoning could be prevented. The death of even one 
                child from poisoning is too many and for this reason, 
                Poison Prevention Week Council members representing 37 
                national organizations coordinate events each year to 
                raise awareness of childhood poisonings and to 
                encourage preventative steps that all Americans can 
                take to protect the lives of our children.

                The theme of this year's National Poison Prevention 
                Week, ``Children Act Fast . . . So Do Poisons!'' 
                reminds parents that they always must be watchful when 
                household chemicals or drugs are stored and used. Many 
                incidents occur when adults are using a product and are 
                distracted for only a brief time. Unfortunately, it 
                only takes a moment for a small child to grab and 
                swallow something that could be poisonous. To guard 
                against these accidents, we must keep medicines and 
                household chemicals locked up, out of sight and reach 
                of young children at all times. The Consumer Product 
                Safety Commission requires child-resistant packaging 
                for certain toxic medicines and chemicals, but it is 
                vital we recognize that the packaging is not ``child-
                proof,'' and must be monitored with great care.

                When poisoning is suspected, individuals should 
                immediately call the national toll-free number, 1-800-
                222-1222 to speak to the nearest poison control center. 
                This telephone number and local poison control centers 
                are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can 
                provide life-saving emergency advice. Regional Poison 
                Control Centers in the United States provide 
                information on recommended treatment for the ingestion 
                of household products and medicines, and parents and 
                those responsible for taking care of children are 
                encouraged to keep the national toll-free number on 
                their telephones. In cases of an emergency, callers 
                should remain calm and provide the Poison Control 
                Center expert with essential information about the 
                victim's age, weight, existing health conditions, and 
                details about the substance that was inhaled, 
                swallowed, or absorbed by the victim. Through our 
                vigilance, we can work together to help stop child 
                poisonings and give every child an opportunity for a 
                bright future.

                To encourage Americans to learn more about the dangers 
                of accidental poisonings and to take more preventive 
                measures, the Congress, by joint resolution approved 
                September 26, 1961, as amended (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 March 16 
                through 22, 2003, as National Poison Prevention Week. I 
                call upon all Americans to observe this week

[[Page 13218]]

                by participating in appropriate ceremonies and 
                activities and by learning how to prevent poisonings 
                among children.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                fourteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand three, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 03-6655
Filed 3-17-03; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P