5 Steps to Improve Gun Safety for Kids

Gun shooting cases involving kids are still relatively high each year. Some cases lead to injuries, while others cause fatal incidents.

The data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows an alarming number of incidents involving guns and children, as follows:

  • Unintentional gun shootings killed 311 children aged 14 and under between 2007 and 2011
  • Unintended firearm incidents lead to 660 children to non-fatal injuries each year.
  • 1.7 million children live in homes with loaded and unlocked guns.

Before such incidents happen to many more children, educating people on how to store guns in the safest way possible is essential.

Therefore, here are the five steps to improve gun safety for kids to avoid and minimize incidents.

1. Store gun and ammunition separately

Make sure to store guns in a locked place where kids cannot reach them.

Double the security by storing guns and ammunition in separate locations.

2. Secure your gun

The worst-case may happen when a kid incidentally finds a gun and plays along with it.

That’s why ensuring your gun is physically secured before storing it is also vital.

3. Educate kids about firearms

Firearms education is vital for kids, especially if their family owns guns at home. 

Having basic knowledge about firearms can minimize the chance of them grabbing guns at home.

4. Ask about gun presence when paying a visit

Parents can ask about gun presence when visiting friends, relatives, or childcare providers to avoid incidents.

This way, people are more aware and alarmed of the kids’ and other people’s safety.

5. Spread the word to others

Parents should be more actively campaigning the action.

Spread the words to make people understand how important it’s to store guns correctly and safely at home.

Conclusion

Incidents involving kids and guns have been a long problem in some countries, especially in the United States.

Therefore, to minimize more incidents in the future, parents must take the most significant responsibility to make their kids stay away from guns at home by following the steps above.

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