Gun Cabinet
About half of U.S. homes contain guns. Regardless of whether there is a gun in your home, it is important to teach your children about gun safety. Robert Krzeski, M.D., a Landen pediatrician, offers these tips on gun safety:
- The safest way is not to keep a firearm at home. If you own a gun, lock it separately from the ammunition. Keep the keys hidden from children.
- Talk with your children about firearms, about using words to resolve problems and about how to avoid fights.
- Discuss TV violence with them. "They see a lot of violence on TV, and guns don't scare them," Dr. Krzeski said. "Explain that guns are not benign. Children should understand that if they use a gun, they can really harm another."
- Teach them they should not touch a gun even one time, but should tell an adult immediately if they see one.
- When your child is invited to play at a friend's house, ask an adult in the home if they own guns and keep them locked separately from the ammunition.
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