[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 9 (Monday, March 5, 2001)]
[Pages 392-393]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7412--National Poison Prevention Week, 2001

 March 2, 2001

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    National Poison Prevention Week alerts Americans to the dangers of 
accidental childhood poisonings and to the measures that help prevent 
poisonings. During the 40 years since the Congress authorized the annual 
proclamation of National Poison Prevention

[[Page 393]]

Week, our Nation has seen a dramatic decrease in deaths from childhood 
poisoning. In 1962, nearly 450 children died from poisoning after they 
accidentally swallowed medicines or household chemicals. From 1993 
through 1997, an average of 36 children died each year from poisoning. 
This dramatic reduction in poisoning fatalities is a significant public 
health success.
    However, the death of even one child from poisoning should be 
prevented. According to the American Association of Poison Control 
Centers, more than 1 million children each year are exposed to 
potentially poisonous medicines and household chemicals. The first line 
of defense is child-resistant packaging required by the Consumer Product 
Safety Commission for many medicines and household chemicals. But this 
special packaging is ``child-resistant,'' not ``child-proof.'' 
Therefore, potential poisons must be locked up away from children. And 
if a poisoning occurs, local poison control centers should be called 
immediately.
    The Poison Prevention Week Council brings together 35 national 
organizations to distribute poison prevention information to pharmacies, 
public health departments, and safety organizations nationwide. National 
Poison Prevention Week has been very effective, but there is more to do. 
We all should use and properly re-close child-resistant packaging, keep 
poisonous substances locked up away from children, and keep available 
poison control center phone numbers next to the telephone. These 
measures can help prevent tragedies.
    To encourage the American people to learn more about the dangers of 
accidental poisonings and to take more preventive measures, the 
Congress, by joint resolution approved September 26, 1961 (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 the week beginning March 18, 2001, as 
National Poison Prevention Week. I call upon all Americans to observe 
this week by participating in appropriate ceremonies and activities and 
by learning how to prevent accidental poisonings among children.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of 
March, 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, 11:47 a.m., March 5, 
2001]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
March 6.