[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 20, 2013)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 17069-17070]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06505]


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                         Presidential Documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 54 / Wednesday, March 20, 2013 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 17069]]

                Proclamation 8940 of March 15, 2013

                
National Poison Prevention Week, 2013

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                For more than 50 years, Americans have marked National 
                Poison Prevention Week by highlighting the steps we can 
                take to protect ourselves and our loved ones from 
                accidental poisoning. This week, we carry that 
                tradition forward by encouraging common-sense 
                precautions and raising awareness about how to respond 
                in a poison emergency.

                Thanks to greater public awareness and stronger 
                safeguards, we have dramatically reduced childhood 
                death rates from accidental poisoning--but work 
                remains. To keep our kids safe, parents and caregivers 
                can take action by storing medicine and hazardous 
                products out of their children's reach and removing 
                unused or expired medications from their homes. Anyone 
                who believes a child or loved one has been poisoned 
                should call the National Poison Help Line immediately 
                at 1-800-222-1222.

                Today, the majority of unintentional poisoning deaths 
                are caused by overdoses involving prescription drugs, 
                including painkillers. As my Administration works to 
                address this serious public health issue, all of us can 
                take part by using, storing, and disposing of 
                medications correctly, and by speaking out about drug 
                misuse and abuse in our communities. For more resources 
                on preventing drug overdose and other forms of 
                poisoning, visit www.PoisonHelp.HRSA.gov. Information 
                about safe drug disposal is available at 
                www.DEAdiversion.USDOJ.gov.

                To encourage Americans to learn more about the dangers 
                of accidental poisonings and to take appropriate 
                preventative 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, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 17 
                through March 23, 2013, as National Poison Prevention 
                Week. I call upon all Americans to observe this week by 
                taking actions to protect their families from hazardous 
                household materials and misuse of prescription 
                medicines.

[[Page 17070]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                fifteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
                seventh. 
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2013-06505
Filed 3-19-13; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F3