The best way to protect your kids from injury and death due to firearms is to keep your home free of guns and avoid households where guns are kept. If you do own a gun, be sure that these rules are followed in your home (and, if applicable, the homes of relatives or friends that your child visits): Store guns in a securely locked case out of kids' reach. All guns should be stored unloaded and in the uncocked position. Store bullets in a separate place and in a securely locked container out of kids' reach. Keep keys to gun storage areas where kids can't find them. Always use trigger locks or other childproof devices. Make revolvers childproof by attaching a padlock so that the cylinder can't be locked into place. Always practice gun safety, and be sure to emphasize to kids that guns aren't toys and should never be played with. Teach kids not to touch guns and tell an adult if they find one. Take a gun safety course to learn the safe and correct way to use your gun. Lock up gun-cleaning supplies, which are often poisonous. Talking to Kids About Gun Safety Teach kids to follow these rules if they come into contact with a gun: stop what they're doing do not touch the gun leave the area where the gun is tell an adult right away It's particularly important for kids to leave the area to avoid being harmed by someone who doesn't know not to touch the gun. A child as young as 3 years old has the finger strength to pull a trigger. It's also important for kids to tell an adult about any gun that's found. Back to Articles Related Articles Gun Safety By now, you probably know what guns are and what can happen if they fall into the wrong hands. Find out how to protect yourself and how to learn about gun safety. Read More Household Safety Checklists Young kids love to explore their homes, but are unaware of the potential dangers. Learn how to protect them with our handy household safety checklists. Read More First-Aid Kit A well-stocked first-aid kit, kept in easy reach, is a necessity in every home. Learn where you should keep a kit and what to put in it. Read More Gun Safety Guns are in many homes, so they're a very real danger to kids, whether you own one or not. Learn how to talk with your kids about gun safety. Read More CPR Every parent should know how and when to administer CPR. Done correctly, CPR can save a child's life by restoring breathing and circulation until medical personnel arrive. Read More Childproofing and Preventing Household Accidents You might think of babies and toddlers when you hear the words "babyproofing" or "childproofing," but unintentional injury is the leading cause of death in kids 14 and under. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.