[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 6 (Monday, February 12, 2001)]
[Page 269]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7407--National Burn Awareness Week, 2001

 February 7, 2001

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Burn injuries are a serious problem in the United States. Each year, 
over 3,000 people die and 16,000 are injured by fires that start in the 
home. These fires cost the Nation over $18 billion. Tragically, 
children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities are those most 
likely to become victims of serious burns. Children are particularly 
vulnerable. Each year, about 800 children under the age of 15 die of 
fire-related causes and about 500 of these deaths are to children under 
the age of 5 years. In fact, children under age 5 have a death rate from 
fire more than twice the national average.
    All Americans can make their homes safer by making sure they have a 
working smoke alarm. About 90 percent of U.S. households have smoke 
alarms. However, a recent survey found that smoke alarms in 20 percent 
of those households--about 16 million--were not working, mostly because 
the battery was dead or missing. Those families who have not yet done so 
should place a smoke alarm inside each sleeping room and on each level 
of a multi-story home and make sure the alarms are tested monthly and 
the batteries are replaced when necessary.
    We should also learn what to do in the event of fire, including the 
``stop, drop, and roll'' maneuver that can help prevent serious burn 
injuries. Those families that have not yet done so should make plans for 
escaping a house fire--and every American family should review and 
practice the plan regularly.
    The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) helps to keep 
children and families safe from products that pose fire dangers. CPSC 
activities have contributed to a decline in fires and fire deaths over 
the past several years. For example, CPSC's standard for child-resistant 
lighters has helped reduce fire deaths from children playing with 
lighters by 43 percent since 1994.
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and 
laws of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim February 4 
through February 10, 2001, as National Burn Awareness Week. I call upon 
all Americans to observe this week by participating in appropriate 
ceremonies and activities and by learning how to prevent burn injuries, 
especially to children.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of 
February, 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.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:50 a.m., February 8, 
2001]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
February 9.