August Proclaimed Gun Safety Awareness Month by 3 North Texas Cities
Cook Children's Aim for Safety program is designed to help reduce the number of injuries we see every year among children through gun safety education.
By Rachel Hatcher
August is proclaimed Gun Safety Awareness Month by three North Texas cities: Arlington, Prosper and Alvarado. The Aim for Safety program at Cook Children’s led this effort to spread awareness and education about proper gun storage and safety. 
“We’re so thankful that Prosper, Arlington and Alvarado recognized August as Gun Safety Awareness Month. This helps us so much in getting this important message of safe gun storage out to the communities and families that we serve and helps us highlight that safety is our number one priority,” Eric Gonzalez, Program Coordinator for the Center for Community Health at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth.
The Cook Children’s Aim for Safety initiative was designed to help reduce injuries among children through gun safety education. The program emphasizes 3-step rules: safe storage, safe children and safe play. It maintains a non-political approach and focuses on educating families about ways to keep everyone safe when guns are in a home.
“Children are curious and while parents and caregivers may be encouraging gun safety, the best thing they can do for their families and loved ones is safely store a firearm using a gun cable lock, gun safe or other appropriate safe measure,” Gonzalez said.
The dates and times for each city’s proclamations differed with the Alvarado City Council on July 15, the Prosper City Council on July 23 and the Arlington City Council on Aug. 6.
The Arlington proclamation was made possible through the assistance of Cheryl McCarver, Senior Vice President of the Arlington-Mansfield YMCA. 
With the school year starting back up and families being back at home, it is important to remember that certain steps must be taken to protect children from unintentional shootings when there are firearms in the house. Most firearm injuries and deaths occur in young children and teens. Many of these are due to a firearm that was not safely locked away. Gun safety education shares necessary steps to protect our children.
“Gun safety is about ensuring the safety of our families and those we love. Every gun owner is tasked with the responsibility of safely storing their guns. As we raise awareness on this topic, we increase the chances of saving a life and work towards fulfilling the Cook Children’s promise to improve the well-being of every child in our care and in our communities,” Gonzalez said.
Aim for Safety
Cook Children's Aim for Safety initiative is designed to help reduce the number injuries we see every year among children through gun safety education. This is not about whether guns are right or wrong. It's about taking the necessary steps to protect our children.
Help your kids learn and follow the 3-step rules:
1. Safe Storage. Parents and caretakers should always ensure safe storage in your own home and the homes you visit. Store firearms unloaded and in locked locations, out of reach of children.
- Use trigger locks and gun boxes.
- Secure ammunition separately.
- Hide gun safe and trigger lock keys.
- Keep unlocked guns in your possession.
- Make sure all guns are equipped with effective, child-resistant gun locks.
- If a visitor has a gun in a backpack, briefcase, handbag, or unlocked car, provide them with a locked place to keep it when in your home.
2. Safe Children.
If your child sees a real gun or sees someone aiming a toy gun at others, teach them to:
- Stop.
- Don't touch.
- Run away.
- Tell a grown up.
3. Safe Play.
- When non-powder guns are in use, there are a few things to remember to help prevent injury:
- Never aim BB guns or pellet guns at another person
- When using a paint ball gun, gel bead gun, water bead gun, or soft foam gun, players should be properly attired and wear safety glasses at all times.
- Ask the parents of your child's friends if they have guns in their homes and how they are being stored.
- If you are asked about your guns, don't be offended.
- Aim for Safety is for advocating gun safety and gun safety only.
- This information is to aid gun owners in protecting not only their own children but also those that enter their home.
