R 091

2003 -- S 0939

Enacted 03/19/03

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING MARCH 19, 2003 AS "POISON PREVENTION AWARENESS DAY" IN

THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Senators Blais, Issa, Polisena, and Damiani

Date Introduced: March 19, 2003

     WHEREAS, For the past 41 years, National Poison Prevention Week has been intended

as a means for local communities to raise awareness of the dangers of unintentional poisonings

and to take such preventive measures as the dangers warrant; and

     WHEREAS, March 19, 2003, designated as, “Poison Prevention Day” in the State of

Rhode Island, is designed to alert Rhode Islanders to the problem of unintentional poisonings;

and

     WHEREAS, The American Association of Poison Control Centers reports that in 2001

there were 1,169,478 children age 5 and under exposed to potentially poisonous substances.

Many of these poisonings are due to the fact that children under the age of 5 are in stages of

growth and development in which they are constantly exploring and investigating the world

around them; and

     WHEREAS, Parents must always be watchful when household chemicals, pesticides or

medicines are being used and must make sure that these toxic products are stored away from all

children at all times; and

     WHEREAS, The new national toll-free number, 1-800-222-1222, works from anywhere

in the United States, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in order to access some 65 Regional Poison

Control Centers in the United States that maintain information on recommended treatment for the

ingestion of household products and medicines; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby proclaims March 19, 2003 as, “Poison Prevention Awareness Day” in the State of Rhode

Island.

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LC02821

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