By Peggy Stager, M.D. FAAP
Originally posted on YourTeenMag.com
Did you know that 1 in 3 homes in
America with children have guns? Guns
are the second leading cause of death among children and teens, and there are
over 15,000 youth injured or killed by guns every year. One question could save
your child’s life. The American Academy
of Pediatrics is sponsoring the ASK campaign, encouraging parents to ask one
simple question. When your pre-teen or
teen goes to a friend’s house to hang out, do you know if that house has a gun
in it? The AAP recommends that you call
the other parent and ask, “Is there an unlocked gun in your house?” 42% of
parents with guns keep at least one gun unlocked and 25% of parents with guns
keep at least one gun always loaded.
Most of the time, the teens know where the guns are kept in the
home. This means that curious teens,
especially bored teens, might go looking for that gun, or find it while looking
for something else. There have been too
many injuries and deaths from unlocked guns in the home because the teen didn’t
think the gun was loaded, was “playing around”, and accidentally shot his
friend. It doesn’t have to be this way.
As a parent, you already know what it is like to ask awkward or uncomfortable
questions to other parents like, “Are you going to be home tonight when the
girls are there?”, “I think the boys may
have been drinking last night. Did you
notice that too?” While this may feel
uncomfortable at first, keep in mind you are asking in your teen’s best
interest. Besides, what is the worst
thing that could happen? A parent may be
offended, or even laugh at you. But in
the long run one simple question may save a teen’s life.
