{"id":37583,"date":"2025-06-17T07:00:58","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T07:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/?p=37583"},"modified":"2025-06-16T22:46:57","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T22:46:57","slug":"keep-it-locked-and-unloaded-the-importance-of-gun-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/keep-it-locked-and-unloaded-the-importance-of-gun-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"Keep it locked and unloaded: The importance of gun safety","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

As the only Level II Pediatric Trauma Center in Western Washington, MultiCare Mary Bridge Children\u2019s Hospital<\/a> sees hundreds of catastrophic injuries every year in its emergency department. A majority of these injuries \u2014 including gun wounds \u2014 are preventable with proper education and safety measures.<\/p>\n

Most gun injuries involving children are unintentional and happen when kids \u2014 who are curious by nature \u2014 find an unsecured firearm that is loaded. Children as young as 3 years old can be strong enough to pull the trigger on a gun.<\/p>\n

Families should think about gun storage as a basic child safety issue, just like the safe storage of medications or household cleaners, or the use of car seats and bike helmets.<\/p>\n

If you own firearms, take the following steps to ensure your guns are properly stored at all times and that all family members \u2014 including children \u2014 know the safety rules for handling or being around guns.<\/p>\n

Do not rely on your child\u2019s ability to remember that they should simply not touch a gun.<\/p>\n

If you have a gun in your home:<\/strong><\/p>\n