[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 131, 115th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9578 of March 17, 2017

National Poison Prevention Week, 2017

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The United States has made great strides in preventing unintentional
childhood poisoning deaths. Thanks to combined national, State, and
local efforts over the course of years, Americans have reduced childhood
fatalities related to accidental poisoning in the United States from 200
deaths per year to 27 per year, which is an 88 percent decline. From a
public health perspective, this is a resounding achievement.
Fifty-five years ago, President John F. Kennedy noted that virtually all
deaths attributable to accidental poisoning could be prevented. He was
right--we as a society must do much more to prevent tragic and
preventable loss of life from occurring. Ensuring the safety and
security of the American people requires that we unequivocally commit to
a continuation of the successful policies that have reduced accidental
childhood poisonings and injuries.
This week we warn all Americans about unintended exposure to poisons and
the threat of household items unintentionally being turned into deadly
weapons. This is an important reminder--and one that could save lives.
To encourage Americans to learn more about the dangers of unintentional
poisonings and to take appropriate preventative measures, on September
26, 1961, the Congress, by joint resolution (75 Stat. 681), 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, DONALD J. TRUMP, do hereby proclaim March 19 through
March 25, 2017, as National Poison Prevention Week. I call upon all
Americans to observe this week by taking actions to safeguard our
families from poisonous products, chemicals, and medicines found in our
homes.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of
March, in the year of our Lord two thousand seventeen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
first.
DONALD J. TRUMP