Cook Children’s Medical Center is urging parents to take action and better secure their firearms as the number of gun-related injuries among children continues to rise. This call to action comes as a response to the alarming statistics that show an increase in gun-related injuries among children in recent years.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, an average of 1,300 children die each year from gunshot wounds in the United States. This number is staggering and highlights the urgent need for parents to take responsibility for the safety of their children.
Cook Children’s Medical Center, a leading pediatric hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, has seen a significant increase in the number of children being treated for gun-related injuries. In the past year alone, the hospital has treated over 100 children for gunshot wounds, with the majority of these injuries being accidental.
Dr. Chad Hamner, a pediatric trauma surgeon at Cook Children’s, has witnessed the devastating effects of these injuries firsthand. He says, “As a pediatric surgeon, it breaks my heart to see young children come into our hospital with preventable injuries caused by firearms. These injuries not only have physical consequences but also emotional and psychological impacts on the child and their family.”
The hospital is now taking a proactive approach to address this issue by urging parents to secure their firearms and keep them out of reach of children. This includes storing guns in a locked safe or cabinet, with ammunition stored separately. Additionally, parents should educate their children about gun safety and the potential dangers of firearms.
Dr. Hamner emphasizes the importance of proper gun storage, stating, “Many parents may believe that their children are too young to understand the dangers of guns, but the reality is that children are curious and can easily access firearms if they are not properly secured. It is our responsibility as parents to keep our children safe.”
The hospital has also partnered with local law enforcement to offer free gun locks to families who may not have access to secure storage options. This initiative aims to make it easier for parents to secure their firearms and prevent accidents from happening.
Cook Children’s is not the only medical center addressing this issue. The American Academy of Pediatrics has also released guidelines for parents on how to safely store firearms in the home. These guidelines include keeping guns unloaded and locked, with the keys or combination kept in a separate location.
As parents, it is our duty to protect our children from harm. This includes taking necessary precautions to prevent gun-related injuries. By securing our firearms, we can ensure the safety of our children and prevent tragic accidents from occurring.
Cook Children’s Medical Center’s call to action serves as a reminder to all parents to take the necessary steps to secure their firearms. Let us come together as a community and prioritize the safety of our children. By working together, we can make a significant impact in reducing the number of gun-related injuries among children. Let us not wait for another tragedy to occur before taking action. The time to act is now.
