Children are naturally curious. Taking a few extra steps to safely store firearms, medications and other harmful items can help prevent accidents, injuries and impulsive decisions during difficult moments. Small actions at home can make a big difference.
Firearm Safety
Why It Matters
In North Dakota, firearms were the leading cause of death for children in 20231. Safely securing firearms helps create safer environments for youth and families.
Safe Storage Tips
The safest option is to store firearms outside of the home whenever possible. If firearms are kept in the home:
- Keep all firearms locked and unloaded.
- Store ammunition locked separately.
- Keep keys, lock combinations and safes inaccessible to children and teens.
- Never leave loaded or unlocked firearms in vehicles or around the home.
- Remember: teaching children not to touch a firearm is important, but reducing access is an important step.
Talking with Your Child
Keep conversations calm, simple, and ongoing. Short discussions over time can be more effective than one serious talk. Teach children to stop, don’t touch, leave the area and tell an adult if they see a firearm. Reinforce that every firearm should be treated as if it is loaded.
Talking with Other Parents
Conversations about firearm safety may feel uncomfortable, but they can help protect children. Approach the conversation calmly and respectfully. Even when people have different views about gun ownership, focus the conversation on the shared goal of keeping kids safe.
Find safe storage resources and tips for talking with other parents at https://agreetoagree.org.
Medication Safety
Why It Matters
Medication safety matters because medication-related harm is a leading preventable cause of serious injury and death among children, teens and young adults. Risks can include accidental poisoning, misuse, overdose and medication errors.
Talking with Your Child
- Keep conversations calm, simple and ongoing. Short discussions over time can be more effective than one serious talk.
- Teach children to never take medication that was not given to them by a trusted adult.
- Encourage children to tell an adult if they find pills or medication they do not recognize.
- Reinforce that medications should always be treated carefully and stored safely out of reach.
Safe Storage Tips
- Keep medications in their original containers with safety caps and store them locked up, out of children’s reach and sight.
- Remember that child-resistant packaging is not childproof and put medications away immediately after every use.
- Be mindful of medications in visitors’ purses, bags or coats.
- Dispose of unused medications safely through local pharmacies, law enforcement agencies or the North Dakota Take Back Program.
- Save the Poison Help number (1-800-222-1222) in case of questions or emergencies. You do not need to wait for symptoms to appear.