Over 60 percent of Illinois parents had never asked another parent about an unlocked firearm in their home before allowing their child to visit for a playdate, according to a survey from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago published in Pediatrics. Many parents reported they had not asked about firearms because it never occurred to them to do so, which highlights a critical need to raise awareness of this important safety concern.
Among children 0-14 years old, almost 20 percent of unintentional firearm-related deaths occur at a friend’s home. Furthermore, approximately 40 percent of U.S. households with children have a firearm in the home, yet only 44 percent of these households store firearms locked and unloaded, the most secure possible manner.
“Parents need to approach the topic of firearm safety in the homes their child visits in the same way they would ask other parents about supervision during playdates or similar questions related to their child’s safety,” said lead author Samaa Kemal, MD, MPH, Emergency Medicine physician at Lurie Children’s and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “Parents need to ask about the presence of firearms in the home and about secure storage methods. These discussions with other parents are crucial for prevention of children’s injury and death from improperly stored firearms.”
Survey responses were received from 1,000 Illinois parents. Dr. Kemal and colleagues found that parents were less likely to ask about firearms if they were female, over 40 years old, living in rural areas, did not have a college degree and had lower household income. There were no differences based on parent race and ethnicity or ages of children in the home.
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is a nonprofit organization committed to providing access to exceptional care for every child. It is the only independent, research-driven children’s hospital in Illinois and one of less than 35 nationally. This is where the top doctors go to train, practice pediatric medicine, teach, advocate, research and stay up to date on the latest treatments. Exclusively focused on children, all Lurie Children’s resources are devoted to serving their needs. Research at Lurie Children’s is conducted through Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, which is focused on improving child health, transforming pediatric medicine and ensuring healthier futures through the relentless pursuit of knowledge. Lurie Children’s is the pediatric training ground for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. It is ranked as one of the nation’s top children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. Emergency medicine-focused research at Lurie Children’s is conducted through the Grainger Research Program in Pediatric Emergency Medicine.
