The Be SMART campaign was created to bring together all responsible adults to reduce suicides and the number of unintentional shootings that occur when children get ahold of an unsecured firearm.
- Guns are the #1 cause of death for children and teens (ages 0-19) in Alaska.
- An average of 20 children and teens (ages 0-19) in Alaska die by guns every year.
- 1 in 10 Alaska adults live in a home with an unlocked and loaded gun.
Every year, nearly 300 children age 17 and under gain access to a gun and unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else, and nearly 500 more die by suicide with a gun. Many of these deaths are entirely preventable with secure gun storage, yet it’s estimated 4.6 million America children live in homes with at least one gun that’s loaded and unlocked. The Alaska Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics is partnering with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America to promote Be SMART, a public education campaign asking gun owners and non-gun owners alike to take simple steps to reduce the number of unintentional shootings and suicides that occur when children or teens get a hold of guns that are not stored securely.
The Be SMART campaign encourages responsible gun ownership and aims to reduce gun deaths as a result of children getting their hands on unsecured guns. The campaign raises awareness about unintentional shootings by children and how to securely store guns in the home. Moms Demand Action encourages parents and caretakers to “Be SMART” by taking these five simple steps to help prevent shootings by children: Secure all guns in your home and vehicles; Model responsible behavior around guns; Ask about the presence of unsecured guns in other homes; Recognize the risks of teen suicide; Tell your peers to be SMART.
Trained volunteers with Moms Demand Action are available across the country to deliver the Be SMART message in your community or office. Our local Moms Demand Action chapter can also provide cable gun locks to clinics as needed. For more information about Be SMART, please visit BeSMARTforKids.org.
For more information about pediatric gun safety, please visit:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2775412
The Alaska Chapter of Moms Demand Action can supply interested clinics with rack cards, posters, and simple gun locks to help educate families about the Be SMART campaign and keep kids safe at home. To request free Be SMART materials, contact a local Moms Demand Action volunteer with questions, or to schedule a presentation, please fill out this form or contact AAP.