[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 127, 113th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8940--MAR. 15, 2013

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.
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.
BARACK OBAMA