5 Free Tools to Promote Firearm Injury Prevention

Some hospitals devise scratch-made classes. Others, hands-on seminars.  Cincinnati Children’s even uses virtual reality. There are many ways for children’s hospitals to educate and train their staff and community members about firearm prevention.  

However, many hospitals don't have the bandwidth to do it alone. By tapping into national and community efforts, children’s hospitals can expand their impact without having to build a program from the ground up.  

Here are five accessible programs children's hospitals are using to bolster their firearm prevention efforts.  

Firearm Safety Event Toolkit  

Seattle Children’s Our Community Safe Firearm Storage Program Event Planning Toolkit provides a step-by-step guide for hosting a community event focused on safe firearm storage education, awareness, and giveaways. The hospital shares the document with organizations that want to host safe firearm storage giveaways or education programs. Request a copy by emailing the hospital.  

CALM online learning

Several children’s hospitals are using the free, online module Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) for staff education. This module was developed by the Zero Suicide Institute to help health care and social services providers feel more comfortable with lethal means counseling for suicide prevention.  

Stop the Bleed training 

Developed by the American College of Surgeons, the Stop the Bleed Program® trains hospital staff and community members to stop bleeding in a severely injured person. Courses are held throughout the United States free of charge. Hospitals and health care providers often host the training sessions.  

FACTS course 

An open online course from the University of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention and Firearm Safety Among Children and Teens (FACTS) consortium lays a foundation for understanding the science of pediatric firearm injury prevention and the latest research and evidence-based solutions. Lectures and interviews from 35 leading firearm injury researchers — along with activities, readings, discussion boards, and quizzes — help learners become familiar with the epidemiology, prevention strategies, and policy efforts related to pediatric firearm injury prevention. 

Wear Orange for Firearms Violence Prevention 

Wear Orange Weekend is held every June to honor survivors and build community with those working to end gun violence. The event was created by friends of Hadiya Pendleton who was shot and killed in 2013. Hospitals can participate in the event by asking employees to wear orange on these days, making social media posts, lighting their buildings orange, or other awareness efforts.  

Find more ways children’s hospitals are working to prevent firearms violence in our report, Keeping Kids Safe. You’ll also find a slide deck presentation and social media graphics to download and share.