July 18, 2024

Gun Safety and Injury Prevention with Children: A Trusted Guide

Written by Oneith Cadiz, MD, director of Injury Free Coalition for Kids Miami

As a parent or guardian, making sure your children are safe is a top priority.

In today’s world, gun safety is crucial to feeling safe at home.

Parents are often surprised to learn that children as young as 3 years old can pull a gun’s trigger. Kids are naturally curious, making safe gun storage key to saving lives.

Accidental firearm injuries are preventable with the right knowledge and precautions. Here are a few gun safety tips, and information on what to do if you or your loved ones ever experience a firearm injury.

Gun Safety Tips

1. Secure storage:

Always store firearms unloaded, and in a gun safe or lockbox, ensuring the keys or combinations aren’t accessible to kids.
Store ammunition separately from the firearm in a locked container.

2. Use gun locks:

Use trigger or cable locks, which make it impossible to fire a gun while in place.

3. Model responsible behavior:

Children learn by example. Always handle firearms safely and responsibly.
Never leave a gun unattended, and always double check that it’s unloaded before putting it away.

4. Open communication:

Educate your children about the dangers of guns. Explain that firearms are not toys and should never be touched.
Encourage your children to talk to you if they ever come across a gun. Ensure they know it’s safe to report finding a firearm without fear of punishment.
Use age-appropriate language and reinforce the message regularly.

5. ASKing saves kids: Model responsible behavior:

More than one-third of accidental shootings involving kids happen in the homes of friends, neighbors, or relatives.
It’s important for parents to ask their neighbors and loved ones about the guns in their homes because Asking Saves Kids. A question as simple as, “Is there an unlocked gun in your house?” can save your child’s life.

What to Do in Case of a Gun Injury

Despite the best precautions, accidents can still happen. If you find yourself in a situation where a child has been injured by a firearm, follow these steps:

01.

Call 911 immediately:

Time is of the essence. Contact emergency services right away and provide them with all necessary details.

02.

Administer first aid:

If you have first aid training, provide immediate care to control bleeding and stabilize the injured child until help arrives. Keep them as calm and still as possible.

03.

Stay calm:

Your composure will help keep the child calm, and provide clear information to emergency responders. Take deep breaths and focus on the next steps you need to take.

04.

Preserve the scene:

Don’t try to clean up or change the scene of the accident. It’s important to keep everything as is, so police and medical personnel can better understand what happened.

05.

Look for support:

After the accident, look for support for you and your child. This can include medical follow-up, counseling, or support groups to help cope with the trauma.

Remember, gun safety is everyone’s responsibility. By taking proactive steps and educating your family, you can reduce the risk of firearm-related injuries. Stay informed, stay alert, and prioritize safety to protect your loved ones.

Did you know that more than a third of U.S. homes with children have guns? Firearms are the leading cause of death for American children and teens under 18.

Take action now by watching our Parental Guidance episode, “Preventing Tragedies with Gun Safety,” led by Dr. Cadiz. In this episode, we dive into essential topics like safe firearm storage in your home and how to discuss gun violence with your kids effectively.

For more information about how to keep your child safe from gun injuries, call the Injury Free Coalition for Kids Miami, a Program of the Children’s Trust, at 305-243-9080 or visit www.injuryfree.org

Dr. Oneith Cadiz is a UHealth Jackson Children’s Care board-certified general pediatrician and the director of the Injury Free Coalition for Kids Miami at Holtz Children’s Hospital.