New campaign aimed at keeping children safe from gun violence

Through a campaign called ASK ("Asking Saves Kids"), the Children's Hospital Foundation Office of Child Advocacy of Kosair Children's Hospital is reminding parents that over 40 percent of homes with children have guns, many of which are left unlocked and loaded. If a gun is accessible in someone's home, there is a good chance a child will find it and play with it. Child advocates remind parents that they should ask if there are guns in homes where their children are playing.

"Gun violence kills more American children than all natural causes combined," says Sharon Rengers, R.N., child advocate at Kosair Children's Hospital. "A simple question to find out if there are guns in the home where your child will be playing could save a life." 

Asking other parents about the presence of guns in their home may not be the easiest subject to talk about so the ASK campaign and child advocates offer this advice:

• ASK with other questions. Include the question with other things you normally discuss before sending your child to someone's house.
• Use the facts. Over 40 percent of homes with children have a gun and many of those guns are left unlocked and loaded. That's why you are asking the question - you just want to make sure your child is safe.
• Work through groups. Introduce the ASK concept through a group or community effort, such as your religious organization or PTA.
• Don't be confrontational. Present your concerns in a respectful manner.  You are simply trying to make sure your child is playing in a safe environment. Use literature like ASK brochure to help open the dialogue.

While the best defense again accidental shootings is for children to play in homes where there are not guns present, if there are guns in the home parents need to evaluate the risks to decide if it is safe for their child to be at that home. Guns should be kept in a gun safe with the ammunition locked separately. Hiding guns is not enough. There are countless tragic stories of kids finding guns that parents thought were well hidden or safely stored.

"If you have any doubts about the safety of someone's home, politely invite the children to play at your house instead," Rengers says.

ASK is a comprehensive national public health campaign developed by PAX - Real Solutions To Gun Violence, in partnership with the American Academy Of Pediatrics, which simply encourages parents to ask "Is there a gun where my child plays?" It is a question that could save a child's life.

Why Kosair Children's Hospital Cares

Kosair Children's Hospital is Kentucky's only freestanding, full-service hospital dedicated exclusively to caring for children, adolescents and young adults. We have a strong commitment to the health and safety of all children. For more information on vehicle passenger safety or to inquire about free fact sheets on a variety of health and safety subjects, call (502) 629-KIDS or 1-800-852-1770.