The leading cause of death among children and teens ages 1–17 has changed, and understanding this shift is crucial for keeping them safe. For decades, car crashes held that tragic distinction, but today it is firearm injury. These deaths are preventable, and just as vehicle safety has evolved to save lives, we can help protect our children by focusing on secure firearm storage and open, thoughtful conversations about responsible ownership.

Find common ground to start

Gun ownership is often an emotionally charged topic, but there’s common ground we all share: keeping our children safe. Just like you inform other parents about your child’s allergies, you can make asking about firearms a routine safety check. If you would like a safety lock for a firearm or guidance on starting the conversation, speak with your pediatrician at Endeavor Health or explore these online safety resources.

Kids know more than we think

Even if you believe your children don’t notice firearms in your home, they often do. Kids are naturally curious, exploring their environment and everything in it—including dangerous items. For younger children, it’s a developmental instinct to touch and test the world around them.

Four simple practices for safer homes

If you own a firearm, these four practices dramatically reduce the risk of injury or death:

  1. Store a gun unloaded.
  2. Store a gun locked.
  3. Store ammunition locked.
  4. Store ammunition in a separate location.

Research confirms the impact. Keeping a gun unloaded can reduce injury risk by 70 percent, a locked gun by 73 percent, locked ammunition by 61 percent, and separating guns and ammunition by 55 percent. Small steps like these can make a profound difference in safety and give families peace of mind.

Extend safety to play environments

Gun safety is not just a home concern. Kids spend time at friends’ houses, community spaces and daycare centers. Just as you confirm the presence of a responsible adult or alert hosts to food allergies, asking about firearms should become a standard part of planning where your child plays.

Start the conversation early

These conversations don’t need to be tense or awkward. Start with clarity and context, giving others space to process and respond. A simple text before a playdate works well: “My child has no allergies. I just want to make sure that if there is a gun in your home, it is safely stored.” This routine approach makes the conversation expected rather than confrontational.

When families are defensive, remind yourself and them that the shared goal is children’s safety. You can say, “As parents, we both want our kids to be safe, which is why I’m asking these questions.” Sharing your perspective, like offering your home as an alternative, sets a collaborative tone: “I’m happy to host and just want to let you know we don’t have guns in the home. Please let us know if your child has any allergies.”

Practice to make it easier

At Endeavor Health, information on safe gun storage is routinely included in discharge instructions for families. This normalizes the conversation and provides parents with practical guidance. Endeavor Health supports the “Agree to Agree” campaign, which encourages families to start conversations about gun safety. Sample conversations are available online for parents, caregivers and concerned adults to help make these discussions feel natural and authentic.

Practice a conversation until it feels natural, enabling you to speak with confidence and compassion. Remember that every person can make a difference in helping keep our kids safe. The more individuals and families participate in these conversations, the more they become routine and accepted, which helps protect children throughout the community.

Talk with your children

Conversations about guns should include your children. For younger kids, teach them not to touch firearms and to alert an adult immediately if they encounter one. Repeat this guidance calmly and consistently.

With teens, focus on respect and problem-solving. Avoid scare tactics and encourage open dialogue: “Gun injuries are the number one cause of death for children and teens in the U.S., so this is a safety topic we need to discuss. Have you or your friends ever been around guns?” Recent research highlights the urgency—many teens who die by firearm suicide have no mental health history and nearly half act within 10 minutes of the thought.

Since teens are impulsive and at higher risk for firearm-related suicide, safe storage is crucial for protecting older children. For households with at-risk teens, local police stations can provide gun locks or temporarily hold firearms. These resources help parents feel more at ease while keeping everyone safe.

Build a culture of safety

Conversations about gun safety extend beyond individual homes. Communities can normalize these discussions by treating them like other safety checks. Each conversation reduces stigma and encourages responsible behavior. Whether you are a gun owner or not, speaking up and asking the right questions helps protect all our children.

Shared values and practical tools

The “Agree to Agree” campaign and resources like Be Smart for Kids help families focus on shared goals: protecting children and reducing risk. These programs offer tools, conversation guides and examples so parents can feel prepared. By practicing and modeling these discussions, healthcare providers, parents and caregivers can make safe storage conversations routine.

Normalizing the conversation

The more we talk about gun safety, the more it becomes part of our daily safety routine, just like childproofing cabinets or installing smoke detectors. Normalizing these conversations begins with parents and caregivers, then spreads to friends, families and the broader community. Everyone benefits when the dialogue is open, compassionate and focused on shared values.

Take action to protect children

You can make a difference. If you own a firearm, follow the four safety steps at home. If you don’t, start the conversation with other parents and caregivers to ensure the environments your children visit are safe. Talk with your pediatrician at Endeavor Health, access resources on the “Agree to Agree” website, and explore Be Smart for Kids. One conversation, one family and one action at a time can help protect children from preventable tragedy.