As parents, guardians, and adults, we have a big responsibility to teach kids about the dangers of firearms and how to stay safe.
Some sobering statistics:
1) Over 4,000 children are injured or killed in unintentional shootings each year in the U.S.
2) 1 in 3 homes with kids have firearms, but many are not stored safely. By teaching kids these simple, life-saving steps, we can make a huge difference.
STOP - If they see a gun, stop what they’re doing immediately.
DON’T TOUCH - Never pick up or play with a firearm.
GET AWAY - Leave the area and move to safety.
TELL AN ADULT - Find a trusted adult and let them know right away.
The key to preventing tragedies is education. It’s not enough to hope that kids will never encounter a firearm—we need to teach them how to handle the situation if they do. Adults are asked to secure firearms in locked safes and to use gun locks to reduce the risk of accidents.
The Munster Police Department provides safety lessons through the D.A.R.E. Program about issues such as this. Let’s work together to build safer communities by starting with your home and having conversations with your children