Just ask: Is there an unlocked gun in your house?
Awkward conversations come with being a parent. But one could save your child’s life.
(SAN ANTONIO, TX) In America, one out of three homes with children has a gun, and nearly 1.7 million children live in a home with a loaded, unlocked gun. Every year thousands of kids are killed and injured as a result.
SAFE KIDS San Antonio has joined the ASK (Asking Saves Kids) Campaign, which promotes a simple idea with the potential to help keep kids safe. It encourages parents to ASK if there is an unlocked gun in the homes where their children play.
June 21 is ASK Day — a day to share the ASK message and remind parents to ask. It falls on the first day of summer, marking a season when kids typically spend more time at the homes of friends and other family members.
Parents ask all sorts of questions before their children visit other homes. They ask about pets in the house, discuss allergies and Internet access, and ask questions about supervision. ASK encourages parents to add one more question to this conversation: “Is there an unlocked gun in your house?” It’s a simple question, but it has the power to save a child’s life.
Every parent cares about the safety of their children. ASK allows parents to play an active role in keeping kids safe. Any parent can make a difference by asking, and encouraging others to do the same.
A member of University Health System’s Adult and Pediatric Injury Prevention Program will be available for interviews on this important topic on ASK DAY, Wednesday, June 21 at University Hospital, 4502 Medical Drive. Call 210-358-2335 to arrange an interview.
