Child Safety: Guns and Firearms
Topic Overview
Small children, even some 1-year-olds, are able to pull the trigger on a
gun. Also, older children or adults can mishandle guns or firearms and
injure others. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages parents to
avoid keeping guns and firearms. If this is not possible, guns and firearms
should be kept away from children and stored:1
- Unloaded.
- Locked in a secure
location, with the keys hidden.
- With the safety device on.
- Separate from
ammunition.
References
Citations
- American Academy of Pediatrics (2010). Gun safety: Keeping children safe. The Injury Prevention Program (TIPP). Available online:
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/Gun-Safety-Keeping-Children-Safe.aspx.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MD, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics |
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| Last Revised | November 30, 2010 |
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Last Revised:
November 30, 2010
American Academy of Pediatrics (2010). Gun safety: Keeping children safe. The Injury Prevention Program (TIPP). Available online:
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/Gun-Safety-Keeping-Children-Safe.aspx.