Accidental firearm injuries and fatalities remain a significant public health concern for children and adolescents. Norton Children’s Hospital Prevention and Wellness (NCPW) program is addressing the critical issue from three different angles:
- Making gun locks accessible.
- Educating the community.
- Promoting conversations about gun safety.
Making gun locks accessible
Gun locks are a simple but effective tool to prevent unauthorized access to firearms, reducing the risk of accidental shootings. In 2024, our hospital distributed 331 gun locks to families across the region. We do this in three primary ways:
- Distribute at primary care clinics. At Norton Children’s 35 pediatric primary care practices across the state, providers discuss firearm safety with caregivers during visits. The caregiver fills out an anonymous survey asking about current firearm storage practices in exchange for a free trigger lock. By providing gun locks at these visits, the program integrates safety resources and education into routine care.
- Share with those at risk. The hospital’s child abuse prevention and inpatient psychiatric teams work closely with families facing challenging circumstances who may be at higher risk of firearm-related incidents. Gun locks from the emergency department’s Safety Cabinet are included as a regular part of their support services.
- Deliver to the community. Nearly 200 gun locks were given out through our Safety Care-A-Van program. The Care-A-Van attended 24 community events and interacted with families from 83 different Kentucky and Southern Indiana zip codes.
Educating the community
While access to gun locks is crucial, education is equally important. Equipping families with knowledge empowers them to create safer home environments. Our department offers a class called Safe Kids, Safe Storage that teaches parents and caregivers how to properly store firearms and medications. Held in person and virtually, the class provides practical guidance on:
- Keeping firearms unloaded and locked in a secure location.
- Storing ammunition separately from firearms.
- Tips on talking to children about guns.
Part of the class includes an open discussion where participants can ask questions and share concerns about firearm safety. After completing the class, participants get a free gun lock and medication lock box.
Promoting conversations about gun safety
Many parents are understandably cautious about their children’s safety when visiting friends or relatives, yet we have discovered that few feel comfortable asking about firearms. NCPW advocates for normalizing these conversations as part of broader child safety discussions.
We recommend approaching the topic with sensitivity and framing it as a general safety question, similar to asking about pets, adult supervision, or allergies. For example, parents can ask: “Are there any firearms in your home? If so, how are they stored?” These simple questions can provide peace of mind and help ensure children are not in environments with unsecured firearms. NCPW provides parents resources and talking points to navigate potentially awkward exchanges.
The success of these initiatives depends on community participation. Parents, caregivers, and health care providers all play a vital role in promoting safe firearm storage and preventing accidental injuries. Together, we can create a safer community for our children.
