When we have firearms in our homes, we must take certain steps to protect our children from unintentional shootings. 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. Help your kids learn and follow the 3-step rules below.
During the holidays and summer months, many children are at home alone and gain access to guns more frequently. Children are also in family and friends' homes that have guns. So parents and caretakers should always ensure safe storage in your own home and the homes you visit. Make sure non-powder guns are also stored correctly.
If your child sees a real gun or sees someone aiming a toy gun at others, teach them to:
Non-powder guns:
"It won't happen to us" is a common theme among children and accidental injuries such as gun shootings. However, the numbers tell a different story.
Most firearm injuries and deaths occur in young children and teens, and many of these are due to a firearm that was not safely locked away. From 2020 – 2023, Cook Children’s Health Care System in Fort Worth saw 208 gun related injuries, 17 fatal and 191 non-fatal. Most of these injuries occurred at home and were unintentional. Most non-fatal injuries were caused by air powered guns (BB guns, airsoft guns, paint ball guns, etc.) while most severe/fatal injuries were caused by handguns.1
Of households with guns in the eight-county service area, 1 in 5 children lives in a home with guns that are not always safely locked away (locking up the firearm and storing ammunition in a separate location).2
10% of young children, 20% of 6–11 year olds and 30% of 12–17 year olds live in a home with a gun that is not always safely locked away.2
We can't assume that a child doesn't know where the guns in the house are hidden or that they do not know how to operate one. Children are exposed to violence and guns through media and video games and it may be difficult for them to separate which one is real and which one is not.
You must explain to your kids how a gun on TV or a video game is much different than one in real life. In addition, BB and pellet guns have been proven to be dangerous, despite the common belief that they are harmless.
Here are a few very important reasons to do the Aim for Safety 3 step:
National data:
Texas data:
Local, Cook Children's data:
Gun safety is crucial for caregivers to navigate as their kids visit family and have playdates with friends. These simple conversation starters can help save lives.
Who should you be having these conversations with?
Email injury.prevention@cookchildrens.org if you would like any of the following:
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.
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:
We invite you to share the following educational pieces and social media posts in an effort to raise awareness, protect our children and #aimforsafety.
Slim card
Brochure
Social media
1 hour (Virtual - Zoom)
When we have firearms in our homes, we must take certain steps to protect our children from accidental shootings. The purpose of this presentation is not political or whether to own a firearm or not. It is to engage our community, provide education and awareness about firearm safety and safe storage practices, in an effort to reduce child gun injuries.
If you have any questions or would like more information about our program, please email injury.prevention@cookchildrens.org.
1Cook Children’s Health Care System. Health Care Analytics and Trauma Registry Departments. 2021.
2 Community-wide Children’s Health Assessment and Planning Survey (CCHAPS) (2021). Cook Children’s Health Care System. Fort Worth, Texas.