Firearms Safety

The following information was provided by the NFPA - Risk Watch

Facts:

Each year, an estimated 1,500 children ages 14 and under are treated in hospital emergency rooms for unintentional firearm-related injuries. Nearly all childhood unintentional shooting deaths occur in or around the home. Fifty-percent occur in the home of the victim and nearly 40% occur in the home of a friend or relative.

Safety Tips:

Teach children to never touch or play with a gun or ammunition. If they see ammunition, a gun, or anything that looks like a gun, they should leave the area and tell a grown-up immediately.

If you have firearms in your home, keep them unloaded. Lock guns and ammunition in separate locations out of children's sight and reach.

Talk to the parents of your children's friends to find out if they keep a gun in the home. If they do, verify that it is kept unloaded and locked away where children can't see or touch it.