If you’re like me, you’re likely finding yourself enjoying more meals around the table with your family in recent weeks. COVID-19 has changed things for many of us with family members spending more time at home and with each other.
With all children at home in the weeks to come, and perhaps a bit bored and exploring more than usual, I want to remind you about an important conversation I strongly recommend that you have with any young ones in your home. Sharing the steps they should take when they come across a gun could save lives.
Guns are very serious. An accident involving a gun can hurt or even kill you or someone you know. Most adults are allowed to own a gun by law, and many have one. This means that even if there isn’t a gun in your house, you need to know what to do if you see a gun.
- If you see a gun, follow these four steps: 1. Stop. 2. Don’t touch. 3. Get away. 4. Tell an adult.
- When you follow these steps, you’re protecting yourself and helping to keep other people safe.
Here are some tips about what to do in specific circumstances:
- Walk away and tell a parent if your friend shows you his parent’s gun.
- Tell an adult immediately if you see a gun in someone’s backpack at school.
- Tell a trusted adult if you hear a girl or boy say that she or he is going to bring a gun to school.
- Follow the four steps if you find a gun in the park by your house.
- If you’re not sure why a gun is dangerous, talk to a parent about it.