Safe Firearm Storage Practices to Prevent Injuries in Children and Adolescents

Strategic Insights -

Parents have a significant role in preventing firearm-related injuries and deaths among children and adolescents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), firearm-related injuries are the second-leading cause of injury-related death in the United States, accounting for 30,242 deaths in 2002. More than 60% of these fatalities among children are due to homicide, about 30% are due to suicide, and 8% are due to accidents. Research has shown that safe firearm-storage practices can significantly lower the risk of firearm injuries in homes with children and adolescents.

Key Takeaways:

  • Keeping a firearm locked (e.g., in a locked box) can lower the risk of firearm injuries in homes with children and adolescents by 50%.
  • Storing ammunition locked and in a separate location from the firearm can further reduce the risk of firearm injuries.
  • Approximately one-third of American homes contain firearms, making it essential for parents to discuss safe firearm storage with their children and relatives or friends who have firearms.
  • Women are less likely than men to be aware of a firearm kept by another household member, and are less likely to know how it is stored, making it crucial for awareness and communication.
  • Removing firearms and ammunition from the homes of adolescents at risk of suicide is crucial, as studies have shown a strong relationship between firearms in the home and risk of suicide.
  • Risk factors for adolescent suicide include depression, other psychiatric illness, drug or alcohol abuse, traumatic loss or event, recent suicide of a friend or family member, family history of mental disorders, chronic or debilitating physical disorder, and previous suicide attempt.
  • Children at high risk of violent behavior are those who get into physical fights to resolve problems, have a history of inflicting violent injury, have a criminal record, have been the victim of violence, hang out with friends who engage in delinquent behaviors, have dropped out of school, belong to a gang, use drugs or alcohol, or sell drugs.

Statistics:

  • Firearm-related injuries are the second-leading cause of injury-related death in the United States, accounting for 30,242 deaths in 2002.
  • More than 60% of these fatalities among children are due to homicide, about 30% are due to suicide, and 8% are due to accidents.
  • Four firearm-storage practices can lower the risk of firearm injuries in homes with children and adolescents, including keeping a firearm locked, unloaded, storing ammunition locked, and storing ammunition in a separate location from the firearm.
  • Approximately one-third of American homes contain firearms, making it essential for parents to discuss safe firearm storage with their children and relatives or friends who have firearms.
  • Women are less likely than men to be aware of a firearm kept by another household member, and are less likely to know how it is stored, making it crucial for awareness and communication.
  • Removing firearms and ammunition from the homes of adolescents at risk of suicide is crucial, as studies have shown a strong relationship between firearms in the home and risk of suicide.

Sources:

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Injury Center Press Office
  • Coordinating Center for Environmental Health and Injury Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention