Gun Safety
Seattle Children’s is committed to preventing firearm-related injuries and death among children and teens.
Free Firearm Storage Giveaway Events
We partner with organizations to offer safe and secure firearm storage giveaway events in communities across Washington state. During events, attendees learn about the importance of gun storage and get a free lock box or trigger lock, with hands-on training on proper use. Supplies are limited.
- One free lock box or trigger lock per person (maximum two items per household).
- Recipient must be 18 or older and present to receive a free item. No ID required.
- Devices are limited. First come, first served.
In partnership with Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, Seattle Children's Safe Firearm Storage Giveaway Events intervention was evaluated, and it was found that safe firearm storage practices improved among event participants. Read the full published article in Injury Prevention: Evaluation of a community-based safe firearm and ammunition storage intervention.
Upcoming firearm storage giveaway events
Thursday, July 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
18th Annual Concrete Youth Activity Day, hosted by Safe and Sane Skagit
Silo Park
7503 S Superior Ave.
Concrete, WA 98237
Please check back for events as they are added. Questions or suggestions for a future event location? Email us!
Toolkits to Guide Safe Firearm Storage Efforts
Firearm tragedy prevention is important everywhere – not only in Washington state. If your organization is interested in learning more about the work Seattle Children's is doing around firearm tragedy prevention to help inform work in the communities you serve, please email us.
Host your own community safe firearm storage giveaway event or education program
Our Community Safe Firearm Storage Program Event Planning Toolkit (PDF) provides a step-by-step guide for hosting a community event focused on safe firearm storage education, awareness and device giveaways.
Community organization education program
Our Safe Firearm Storage Device Program: Community Organization Toolkit (PDF) provides implementation guidance, data, scripts, key messaging and resources for organizations looking to initiate safe and secure firearm storage programs through education and device distribution.
Email us to get your copy of our toolkits
Firearms Safety at Home
Practicing safe and secure firearm storage is an important way to protect everyone in the home. Safe and secure firearm storage also prevents theft of firearms. See what your options are and where to purchase safe storage devices.
Firearms safety checklist for home
- Store firearms unloaded.
- Store firearms locked up using a firearm safe, lock box, trigger or cable lock.
- Store and lock ammunition separately from firearms.
- Avoid locking devices that use keys if possible. If your locking device has a key, keep it with you or in a safe place that children and others cannot access.
- Remove firearms from your home if a family member is depressed, suicidal or is abusing drugs or alcohol. See the Washington Firearm Safe Storage Map to find local options for temporary, voluntary firearm storage.
Learn More about Firearms in the Home Safety Checklist for Home
Suicide Prevention
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 24 and it is preventable. Suicide crises are often short-term but having access to firearms makes it easier to carry out the act because they are quick and deadly. The best way to protect your family from a firearm injury or death is to remove firearms from the home. If you choose to keep firearms in the home, you can help protect your family by locking up your firearms and ammunition. Learn more about the connecting between teens, depression and firearms and what you can do.
Learn about common suicide warning signs and what to do if a child or teen has thoughts about suicide.
Suicide prevention videos
If you, your child, family or friend needs help right away, call, chat or text 988. The free and confidential 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States to provide support for people in distress, as well as prevention and crisis resources.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing people can get help through 988 or the Deaf Crisis Line.
Seattle Children’s Psychiatric Urgent Care offers in-person and video visits for same-day mental health support for children and teens ages 4 through 17 who may not need the services of an emergency department.
Hotlines for Youth (PDF) provides other options for immediate help for children and teens. (Also available in Amharic, Arabic, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Spanish, Ukrainian and Vietnamese.)
Donate to the Gun Safety Special Fund
Donations will support safe firearm storage education and provide locking devices for families.
Safe and Secure Firearm Storage Information for Healthcare Professionals
Safe firearm storage counseling in healthcare settings
Patient-provider counseling on safe and secure firearm storage during clinic visits is an important strategy to potentially reduce firearm-related injuries among children and teens.
See our Safe Firearm Storage Device Program: Healthcare Provider Toolkit (PDF) for guidance on how to have conversations about safe and secure firearm storage with parents/guardians and young patients.
Trainings
- Seattle Children’s can train and support healthcare organizations to implement safe firearm storage counseling.
- Washington Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics – Role of the Physician in Firearm Injury Prevention (webinar)
- Zero Suicide – Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (free, self-paced online training)
- Firearm Safety Among Children and Teens (FACTS) – Counseling, safe storage, epidemiology (videos)
