What Parents Should Know About Gun Safety in the Home and Vehicle

• 2023

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• Rebecca Palmer; Leila DeWitt; Lindsay Thompson
PMID: 37902742DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.4668

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About

This article discusses that guns are now the leading cause of death for children in the US, surpassing motor vehicle crashes. Factors contributing to this include increased gun purchases, rising depression and anxiety among children, and stress from the pandemic. The age-related causes of gun injuries vary, with younger children more prone to accidental injuries and older children facing risks of homicide or suicide. Safe gun storage is crucial, with recommendations for gun locks, safes, and removal of guns from homes or vehicles. The "Be SMART" framework is proposed for improving gun safety, alongside dispelling common misconceptions about safe storage.

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Tags

Focus Area: Violence

Audiences: Families & Children; Public Health Professionals

Emergency Management Stage: Preparedness (Prevention / Protection)

Keywords: Child Welfare; Firearms; Safety; Accidental Injuries; Suicide Prevention; Gun Violence

Institutions: American Medical Association (AMA); Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist

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