George Herbert Walker Bush

“ For more than three decades, we Americans have observed National Poison Prevention Week as part of a concerted, nationwide campaign to reduce the number of accidental poisoning deaths among children. This annual observance, coupled with our year-round efforts in both the public and private sectors, has helped to save lives: during the past 30 years, the number of poisoning deaths among children under 5 years of age has declined markedly, from 450 in 1961 to 42 in 1988. ”

“ Poison prevention awareness has saved lives, but there is more to do. The American Association of Poison Control Centers reports that almost 1 million children are exposed each year to potentially poisonous medicines or household chemicals. We must continue to warn parents, grandparents, and other adults about the threat of childhood poisoning and encourage them to adopt safety measures. We can take a simple yet vital step to prevent accidental poisonings by using child-resistant closures and by keeping medicines and household chemicals out of the reach of children. ”

“ The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, which each year provides a member to serve as Secretary of the Poison Prevention Week Council, helps to direct this important public health campaign to prevent childhood poisonings. It is a truly national effort, enlisting the help of parents, health professionals, educators, and government officials, as well as members of industry and the media. ”