Safety-Proofing for Everyone
When your child was younger, you kept them safe by baby-proofing your home. As they get older, you can continue to keep them safe by updating your safety-proofing for your growing child.
Here are some general practices for all families:
Be Careful with Guns
Kids and teens can be impulsive. Guns can be dangerous because they can hurt or kill someone quickly. In Washington state, over half of gun deaths among young people are due to suicide. Keep guns locked to help keep kids safe.
Here's how you can practice safe gun storage:
Ask your child’s doctor's office if they provide free lock boxes, know where to get one, or for other suggestions how to store guns safely. You can also ask your local fire department or police station.
Limit Access to Drugs, Alcohol, and Medications
Keeping drugs, alcohol, and medicines out of reach can help protect your child and their friends from harm.
Here's how you can limit access:
Ask your child’s doctor's office if they provide free lock boxes, know where to get one, or for other suggestions how to store meds safely. You can also ask your child's doctor's office if there is free narcan available.
For example:
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Keep only a weeks worth of Advil, Tylenol, Benedryl, etc. accessible at a time while locking up the rest. You can also buy smaller bottles.
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For example:
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Lock up or restrict access to drugs, alcohol, and medications by storing them in a locked box, a locked cabinet, or other secure space.
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Make them harder to access by storing them out of reach and out of sight from children.
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Don't let kids keep their own medications. Have a parent or caregiver give medications as prescribed and/or needed.
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Consider having narcan/naloxone at home in case of an overdose emergency. For more information, click here.
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For example:
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Keep track of how many pills should be in medication bottles to notice if any are missing.
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Keep track of how much alcohol and any other drugs you have in your home. Notice if any are missing or seem to have less remaining than you expected.
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What to Expect at your Doctor's Visit: Mental Health Check-Ins
Some other things to be aware of:
People can find other things to use to harm themselves other than the items listed above. If you are concerned your child may be having thoughts of self harm and/or suicide, please speak with their doctor for additional recommendations. They may suggest removing or locking up additional items such as knives or other sharp objects, detergents or chemicals, or ropes or cords.
Removing these additional items is not necessary for every household but can be discussed with your doctor if you have concerns about your child's safety.