[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 11 (Monday, March 17, 2003)]
[Pages 322-323]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7653--National Poison Prevention Week, 2003

 March 14, 2003

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    More than 40 years ago, President John F. Kennedy signed into law 
National Poison Prevention Week. The annual observance of this week 
continues to help American families learn how to protect their children 
from accidental poisonings.
    Every year more than one million children under 5 years of age are 
exposed to poisonous household chemicals and medicines, and an estimated 
30 children die as a result of these accidental poisonings. Almost every 
child poisoning could be prevented. The death of even one child from 
poisoning is too many and for this reason, Poison Prevention Week 
Council members representing 37 national organizations coordinate events 
each year to raise awareness of childhood poisonings and to encourage 
preventative steps that all Americans can take to protect the lives of 
our children.
    The theme of this year's National Poison Prevention Week, ``Children 
Act Fast . . . So Do Poisons!'' reminds parents that they always must be 
watchful when household chemicals or drugs are stored and used. Many 
incidents occur when adults are using a product and are distracted for 
only a brief time. Unfortunately, it only takes a moment for a small 
child to grab and swallow something that could be poisonous. To guard

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against these accidents, we must keep medicines and household chemicals 
locked up, out of sight and reach of young children at all times. The 
Consumer Product Safety Commission requires child-resistant packaging 
for certain toxic medicines and chemicals, but it is vital we recognize 
that the packaging is not ``child-proof,'' and must be monitored with 
great care.
    When poisoning is suspected, individuals should immediately call the 
national toll-free number, 1-800-222-1222 to speak to the nearest poison 
control center. This telephone number and local poison control centers 
are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can provide life-saving 
emergency advice. Regional Poison Control Centers in the United States 
provide information on recommended treatment for the ingestion of 
household products and medicines, and parents and those responsible for 
taking care of children are encouraged to keep the national toll-free 
number on their telephones. In cases of an emergency, callers should 
remain calm and provide the Poison Control Center expert with essential 
information about the victim's age, weight, existing health conditions, 
and details about the substance that was inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed 
by the victim. Through our vigilance, we can work together to help stop 
child poisonings and give every child an opportunity for a bright 
future.
    To encourage Americans to learn more about the dangers of accidental 
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 16 through 22, 2003, 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 three, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
seventh.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., March 17, 
2003]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
March 18.