1Designating the week of March 17 through 23, 2013, as "Poison
2Prevention Week" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, More than two million poisonings are reported yearly
4across the United States and more than 90% of these poisonings
5occur in the home; and

6WHEREAS, A majority of nonfatal poisonings involve children
7under six years of age; and

8WHEREAS, Poisoning remains a leading cause of death among
9adults; and

10WHEREAS, On September 16, 1961, Congress established
11"National Poison Prevention Week" and shortly thereafter the
12Poison Prevention Week Council was organized to coordinate the
13annual event; and

14WHEREAS, "National Poison Prevention Week" is observed
15annually during the third week in March to promote public

1education on ways to prevent poisonings; and

2WHEREAS, If used properly, most consumer products pose no
3hazard to human health, but if used incorrectly, many common
4household products, such as pain medicines and cleaning
5products, can become poisonous; and

6WHEREAS, Most poison exposures happen unintentionally and
7only 13% of all poisonings occur from an intentional overdose or
8misuse of a product or substance; and

9WHEREAS, Across the United States, 57 poison control centers
10operate to assist the public with poison emergencies and to
11respond to questions about poison prevention and exposure to
12poisons; and

13WHEREAS, Two poison control centers, the Pittsburgh Poison
14Center at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and the Poison
15Control Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia,
16operate in this Commonwealth; and

17WHEREAS, The Pittsburgh Poison Center has become nationally
18recognized for creating the first quality standards for poison
19control center operation and for assisting in the development of
20the National Poison Center Network, which is the first network
21of regional and satellite poison control centers across the
22United States; and

23WHEREAS, Due to spiraling health care costs, poison control
24centers serve as an antidote to emergency room crowding and
25costs; therefore be it

26RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
27week of March 17 through 23, 2013, as "Poison Prevention Week"
28in Pennsylvania; and be it further

29RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge all
30residents to become aware of common sense tips to prevent

1poisonings such as safely storing poisonous substances, using
2poisonous substances as directed, ensuring that children are
3taught to ask before using a poisonous substance and keeping the
4poison control center toll-free telephone number of 1-800-222-
51222 in an easily accessible location; and be it further

6RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
7outstanding work done by the employees and volunteers at the two
8poison control centers in this Commonwealth who assist in saving
9lives by responding to emergencies and teaching the public how
10to prevent poisonings.