Aim for Safety
Cook Children's Aim for Safety® initiative is designed to help reduce the number injuries we see every year among children through gun safety education. This is not about whether guns are right or wrong. It's about taking the necessary steps to protect our children.
Prevention tips/recommendations
Safe storage
- Store firearms unloaded and in locked locations, out of reach of children.
- Use trigger locks and gun boxes.
- Secure ammunition separately.
Safe children
If your child sees a real gun or sees someone aiming a toy gun at others, teach them to:
- Stop.
- Don't touch.
- Run away.
- Tell a grown up.
Safe play
- Ask the parents of your child's friends if they have guns in their homes and how they are being stored.
- If you are asked about your guns, don't be offended.
- Never aim BB guns or pellet guns at another person
One of the attendees shared a story, noting that while visiting her brother, her toddler came across and likely interacted with her brother's firearm that he kept in his nightstand by his bed. She reports not witnessing this, but states that her brother informed her that her daughter was in his room, and the drawer that holds that gun appeared to had been shuffled around after their visit. A gun safe was provided to her, as well as most other participants.
Gun safety research project
Cook Children's is looking for parents of children ages 4-12 years old to participate in a gun safety research project.
The study takes place on the Cook Children's main campus in Fort Worth, TX, and participants must be willing to attend the onsite sessions.
- Participating in the study is completely FREE.
- Study includes one visit to Cook Children's Medical Center and two follow-up phone calls.
- Parents will receive information on how they can obtain free firearm safety devices.
This project is being conducted by Dan Guzman, M.D., a Cook Children's Emergency Department physician.
If you are interested in participating, please submit this short survey:
Contact us about our program
For questions or information on gun safety, contact injury.prevention@cookchildrens.org
Access free resources
The Center for Community Health is committed to providing free education and access to our data.