Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 117.djvu/3032

 PROCLAMATION 7653—MAR. 14, 2003

117 STAT. 3013

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 2 through March 8, 2003, as Save Your Vision Week. I urge all Americans to make eye care and eye safety an important part of their lives and to include dilated eye examinations in their regular health maintenance programs. I invite eye care professionals, teachers, the media, and all public and private organizations dedicated to preserving eyesight to join in activities that will raise awareness of measures all Americans can take to protect and sustain our vision. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentyeighth day of February, 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

Proclamation 7653 of March 14, 2003

National Poison Prevention Week, 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 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

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