[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 11 (Monday, March 18, 2002)]
[Pages 423-424]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7532--National Poison Prevention Week, 2002

 March 14, 2002

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    In 1961, the Congress established the annual observance of National 
Poison Prevention Week. Forty-one years later, this event continues to 
educate Americans about the dangers of childhood poisonings and to 
promote measures that help prevent such poisonings. These measures and 
other poison awareness efforts have helped reduce deaths from childhood 
poisonings by more than 90 percent since 1962.
    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. In an effort to put an end 
to tragic accidents, the United States Consumer Product Safety 
Commission requires child-resistant packaging for many medicines and 
household chemicals. But this special packaging is ``child-resistant,'' 
not ``child-proof.'' For this reason, it is essential to keep potential 
poisons locked up and away from children.
    Members of the Poison Prevention Week Council, representing 36 
national organizations, work every year to organize events during this 
special week to raise awareness of unintentional poisonings, as well as 
to illustrate the steps that can be taken to prevent them. Coalition 
members believe every poisoning is preventable. Group members encourage 
Americans to use and properly

[[Page 424]]

reclose child-resistant packaging, keep poisonous substances secured and 
out of the reach of children, and keep the poison center telephone 
number, 1-800-222-1222, nearby in case of an emergency. This new 
nationwide number connects callers to medical experts that provide 
immediate treatment advice for poison emergencies. These centers are 
open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
    To encourage Americans to learn more about the dangers of 
unintentional poisonings and to take more preventive 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, George W. Bush, President of the United States 
of America, do hereby proclaim March 17 through 23, 2002, 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 poisonings among children.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day 
of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
sixth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., March 18, 
2002]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
March 19.