Gun Safety
A gun in a home with a curious child is a dangerous, and possibly lethal, combination. Since 2020, firearm injuries have been the leading cause of death among children and teenagers in the U.S.
Fortunately, there are steps we can take to reduce the risks our children encounter. This includes safely storing any firearms we have, monitoring the environments our children visit, and preventing exposure to weapons in the home and community.
Store firearms safely
If you have a firearm:
- Always store the firearm unloaded, with the ammunition stored in a secure, separate location.
- Lock firearms in a secure location that is only known and accessible to the owner/adult(s) in the household.
- Store the key or combination to the lock in a separate location that a child can’t access.
Talk to your child about firearm safety
Gun safety is a difficult topic to broach with anyone, especially children. But it’s important to have an age-appropriate, open, and honest conversation with your child. Start the conversation early by telling them that if they see a gun, they should not touch it and immediately tell an adult. Revisit the topic whenever your child is going to be spending time in a new or unfamiliar environment, such as going to a friend’s house.
Ask about weapons before your child visits another home
Before a child visits a new friend or family member’s home, I advise parents to ask the adults of that household if their home has any weapons, and if so, are those weapons locked and stored in a safe place. An example of how to ask this is, “‘My kid is pretty curious, and our doctor recommended that I ask — is there an unlocked gun where my child plays?’” If a gun owner does not know how to safely lock and/or store their firearm, refer them to the resources below.
Keep your kids safer from gun violence
It’s also helpful to:
- Avoid toys that are weapon-based or weapon-adjacent.
- Restrict access to violent video games, media, and television.
- Talk to your kids regularly about household and community safety.
- Encourage your child to speak up about bullying they experience or witness to you, a teacher, or another adult.
- Teach your child how to call 911 in an emergency.
- Teach your kids how to stay safe around strangers.
Resources for Parents
American Academy of Pediatrics
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Dr. Raja's biography reads: I chose to practice at Kaiser Permanante because as a patient at Kaiser Permanente myself throughout my training and thereafter, I have been very satisfied with the ease of access to care. I wanted to be a part of this organization’s forward-thinking mindset and network of providers. My philosophy of care is to partner with families in making treatment plans that are both safe and practical. I strive to get to know what makes each patient special and connect with them on their level. I am passionate about parent-baby dyad health including development and breastfeeding, health equity, climate health, patient education, and workplace wellness.
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