Boca VIPediatrics: Asking Saves Kids (ASK)

June 21^st is National ASK Day
Asking Saves Kids (ASK)

With the start of summer, children will likely be spending more time at their friends’ homes. Before dropping their child off for a play date, parents ask all kinds of questions. One such question that is not often asked by parents: “Is there a gun where my child plays?”

National ASK Day is to remind parents to ask other parents if there is a gun in their home.

If the answer is, “No”, that is one less thing for you to worry about.

If the answer is, “Yes”, make sure that all guns are stored unloaded and locked in a gun safe or other device that requires a code for entry. Ammunition should also be locked separately from the gun.

For those who think that this information is only relevant to a small number of homes/families. Studies have shown that almost 1 in 3 homes with children have at least one gun in the home. In my state, Florida, more than 248,000 children and teens in live in homes with loaded guns, and nearly 129,000 live in homes with guns that are loaded and unlocked.

Additionally, data from the Center to Prevent Youth Violence (CPYV), 25% of children whose parents owned guns reported that they have seen or touched a gun without their parents’ knowledge.

Starting June 21^st and every day from now on, remember to ASK before your child goes for a play date.

For more information about National ASK Day from the CPYV.

More information on improving gun violence policy from the American Academy of Pediatrics.