The Sentinel: Children

How rough play shapes stronger, smarter kids

by Colleen Reynolds
OSF Healthcare

PEORIA - First-time moms can be a little leery of dad wrestling with a little one, but research shows rough housing, or better put, active play actually helps with physical development, social skills and emotional regulation.

Kyle Boerke, PsyD, a clinical child psychologist and the director of Outpatient Behavioral Health services at OSF HealthCare, says it might be surprising but aggressive physical play between parents and their children results in less aggressive kids.

Kyle Boerke

“During physical play, fathers especially who exert some levels of dominance actually have more well-adjusted kiddos; more socially adjusted and more confident kiddos whereas with more passive fathers, we actually get children who engage in more physical aggression. So, it’s kind of opposite of what some people who are hesitant might think.”

Active play also helps children learn to regulate their emotions Dr. Boerke says.

“I might be starting to get frustrated but I’m learning how to deal with that frustration. I’m learning how to be assertive and say, ‘I would like to stop or please stop.’ And if it’s high-quality interaction the parent is going to stop and now I’m learning that if I advocate for myself, then things are going to turn out the right way.”

What does active play look like? It can be playing tag, wrestling, flying a kid like an airplane on your raised legs and feet, even spinning a child around. During a walk, it could be mom and dad swinging them with each holding a hand.

Dr. Boerke says rough-and-tumble play has so many benefits. For example, he says it provides opportunities for children to learn about social cues and helps build confidence as they test their limits. It positively impacts the brain, improving cognition, attention and academic achievement.

For parents it has positive side effects because the interactions activate pleasure hormones.

There is no age limit for rough-and-tumble play.

“One of the most fascinating parts of research on this rough-and-tumble play is we actually get equal, if not higher, levels of this hormone oxytocin at the end of a rough- and-tumble play session than we do when we simply sit on the couch and cuddle with our kiddos. So it actually strengthens the bond with my child.”

Active play also promotes development of gross motor skills, balance, coordination and spatial awareness. But parents need to make sure it doesn’t cause harm or that the parent always has dominance. Dr. Boerke suggests letting the child win as much as you do and setting limits when it goes on too long.

He emphasizes that when it comes to tickling, don’t hold a child down and make sure to stop when a child says they’ve had enough or seem worn out by it.

There is no age limit for rough-and-tumble play. Dr. Boerke explains the type of active play just morphs a bit as a child ages.

“What was wrestling or chase and flee, what was tickling and throwing them in the air when they were little turned into, we're going to play a one-on-one game of basketball, you know, at a park. Or if I have a hoop at my house, there's rough-and-tumble play in that too, right?”

For more introverted parents, Dr. Boerke suggests easing into active play and it will eventually come naturally. Enthusiasm is important. He stresses that a child needs to feel a parent is really engaged and interested, not just going through the motions. He says if parents are too passive about play, their children tend to be more aggressive in the long run.

Op-Ed |
New study reveals obesity ages individuals by 27 years

Findings highlight wide-ranging health impacts and alarming cost implications

by Patty Starr
President and CEO, Health Action Council

Newly released claims data from more than 220,000 people reveal the latest evidence on the role obesity plays in health and health care costs, underpinning the need for supportive measures and interventions.

The new study, which analyzed Health Action Council (HAC) members with health plans administered by UnitedHealthcare, found that people with obesity cost their employers 2.3 times more than those without the condition and paid 66% more out-of-pocket ($662) per year than their peers without obesity. Notably, Millennials with obesity incurred over 8% higher per member per month (PMPM) costs than Baby Boomers without obesity who were 27 years older, due to the increased likelihood of chronic condition diagnoses.

Multifaceted health consequences

Comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and musculoskeletal issues were major cost drivers. The more comorbidities a person with obesity experienced, the higher their costs became. Obesity significantly increased the risk of various cancers, including breast, colon, rectum, and upper stomach cancers, and increased the risks for anxiety, substance use disorders, and depression.

Obesity among women of childbearing age

The report highlighted a 19-percentage-point rise in obesity rates between Gen Z women (9%) and Millennial women (28%), the largest generation in today’s workforce. This was particularly concerning due to the heightened maternal mortality risks and mental health issues associated with obesity.

The ripple effect on children

Children of parents with obesity are generally twice as likely to develop the condition themselves, but this risk tripled for children of HAC members if at least one parent had obesity. These children were also 44% more likely to experience depression, 39% more likely to have ADHD, and had higher rates of developmental disorders, asthma and diabetes.

Whole person weight management solutions

Effective strategies will require more than GLP-1s, which are unlikely to meaningfully impact obesity rates due to their high costs and low compliance rates. Consistent with the Food and Drug Administration’s label, these medications should be used in tandem with a life-style modification program for the treatment of obesity.

Strategies for employers

Following are a few steps employers can take to build a healthier workplace culture.

Understand your population. Analyze claims to determine the percentage of your workforce and dependents impacted by obesity. Identify prevalence, most impacted groups, as well as other health risks and social drivers of health.
Foster a healthy environment. Encourage a positive relationship with food, activity, and stress management by offering classes on exercise, nutrition, and mindfulness and providing non-processed foods at meetings, events, and in common areas. Encourage daily physical activity, less screen time, and quality sleep.
Offer comprehensive health solutions. Implement wellness solutions that integrate whole-person health by providing access to virtual providers such as network dietitians, digital health tools like mental health apps, and wearable technologies such as continuous glucose monitors.

About the author ~

Patty Starr, CEO of Health Action Council

Patty Starr is President and CEO of Health Action Council and is responsible for driving the strategic direction of the organization--build stronger, healthier communities where business can thrive.

Child abuse cases rise in Indiana, leaving both mental and physical scars

Indiana is a mandated reporting state. More than 7,500 children were removed from their homes last year because of abuse and neglect.

by Terri Dee
Indiana News Service

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - More than 7,500 Indiana children were removed from their homes last year because of abuse and neglect. According to The Indiana Youth Institute's 2024 Kids Count Data Book, that number represents a 26% increase from 2022.

Indiana's Child Abuse and Neglect Law includes persistent hunger and ongoing fatigue as symptoms of behavioral abuse.

Jeff Wittman, Prevent Child Abuse Indiana director, said child abuse resulting in bruises, broken bones and some lacerations may be easier to see than less obvious -- and potentially more serious -- forms of abuse.

"But the things that go unnoticed or harder to see are changes in behavior. So it's incumbent upon adults and those in roles of caregiving and authority and things like that, to be aware of children, to know them well enough where you can see changes in behaviors," he said.

Indiana's code lists additional signs of sexual abuse of minors as the child having sexual knowledge well beyond their age, imitating sexual behavior and a preoccupation with their bodies every adult at least 18 years of age has a legal obligation to report child abuse and neglect cases.

Every adult at least 18 years of age has a legal obligation to report child abuse and neglect cases.

Wittman said the agency will occasionally receive calls from concerned citizens who have witnessed an incident or a child's actions and sense that something isn't quite right. He said people are familiar with the phrase 'when you see something, say something,' and are more proactive about picking up a phone and calling the agency. He said, as a society, "This is really where we need to be" to help an abused or neglected child."

"If we see situations that bring to mind or cause us to be concerned, where children might not be getting their basic needs met, or they seem to always be hungry and never have, enough food or maybe they are, crying all the time, or they're running away from their parents," he added.

Wittman explained that Indiana is a mandated reporting state, which means every adult at least 18 years of age has a legal obligation to report child abuse and neglect cases.

To report child abuse and neglect, call the hotline at 1-800-800-5556.

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Allergy season is just around the corner; some tips that might help you be less miserable

Photo: PEXELS/Edward Jenner

by Tim Ditman
OSF Healthcare

DANVILLE - Spring allergies will be here soon. If you’re suffering from a runny or congested nose, watery or itchy eyes or sneezing, it’s tempting to grab the first medicine that catches your eye at the pharmacy or rifle through the bathroom drawer for some pills you’re hanging on to.

Not so fast, says Maddy Draper, APRN, a health care provider at OSF OnCall. She says it’s important to know what to take and when in order to avoid side effects that can be serious.

Photo provided

Maddy Draper, APRN

What to take

Draper says an antihistamine like Astepro, Zyrtec, Allegra or Benadryl is a typical first line of defense.

“There are also decongestants for severe nasal congestion or sinus pain and pressure,” Draper adds. Sudafed is a well-known decongestant.

If a more severe case brings symptoms like face swelling or wheezing, Draper says treatment could be a steroid like Flonase or prednisone.

For more chronic (in other words, long term) allergy cases, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says a provider may recommend immunotherapy to build up a tolerance. This could be an injection or a tablet under the tongue.

Misuse

It may not seem like over the counter allergy medications are ripe for misuse, but it can happen.

Draper says antihistamines, especially Benadryl, can make you drowsy. If you take too much or take it at the wrong time, you could, for example, find yourself sleepy behind the wheel. Or your attentiveness at work or school could suffer.

On the flip side, Draper says Sudafed can make you jittery, irritable or cause heart palpitations (the feeling of an irregular heartbeat). This could be a big issue, she says, for people with a heart condition.

“We want to avoid nasal sprays for people with nasal trauma. Things like a deviated septum or nasal sores,” Draper adds. “Putting something up the nose could cause further tissue damage.”

Draper says to take medication as directed by your provider. Or if it’s over the counter, follow the label instructions. She says these medications typically take a couple days to start working. So don’t be tempted to take an extra dose if you’re not seeing relief right away.

Think of the children! (and seniors)

Children and seniors may be more impacted by the side effects of allergy medications. An older adult who takes Benadryl, for example, may be drowsy to the point that they fall and suffer a serious injury.

So, Draper says providers will typically start with an antihistamine that doesn’t make you super drowsy. She says Zyrtec is approved for ages six months and up, and that’s often where providers will start.

“Any antihistamine label is going to tell you to consult your provider for use under the age of two,” Draper says. “So you’ll need to be seen by a provider or your pediatrician.” This could be a virtual visit or a message to your provider in your patient portal.

Plan ahead

Draper says knowing your allergy triggers and acting accordingly is key to avoiding unpleasant symptoms. For example, you know grass clippings will cause an allergic reaction, but you have no choice but to mow the lawn.

“Primary care providers and allergists typically recommend starting the medication prior to exposure,” Draper explains. “If you know you’re going to be outside on that windy, dry day to mow, start the antihistamine a couple days prior so it can fully take effect.”

If you can’t get a handle on a known allergy, or if you have unexpected allergy symptoms, Draper says it’s never a bad idea to go to an urgent care.

Or if you find yourself looking for an over the counter medication option: “Just ask the pharmacist,” Draper suggests. “They’ll give you recommendations.

“There’s usually a specific aisle for allergies,” she adds. “Find the right antihistamine. Flonase is another big one we see people use.”

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Needed clothing often out of reach thanks rising cost of living, one company is helping change that

BPT - Families in poverty often spend over 80% of their income on food, housing, childcare and healthcare, leaving little room for essentials like winter clothing. Unfortunately, many children miss school or cannot fully participate because they do not have warm coats or shoes. This lack of warm clothing has a ripple effect and is one of the reasons 32% of children in the poorest school districts are chronically absent.

A new partnership between the national nonprofit Operation Warm and Subaru is helping to provide these essentials, offering brand-new, high-quality coats, shoes and socks for children in need.

The Subaru Loves to Help initiative will help over 630 Subaru retailers deliver winter clothing to underserved communities across the country.

Subaru retailers will also host on-site gifting events or coordinate drop-off deliveries based on the community's needs. Events will provide children the opportunity to select brand-new coats, shoes and socks.

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Creating child-friendly spaces in a new home

SNS - Moving into a new home is an exciting time for families, offering a chance to reimagine spaces that reflect your family’s needs. For those with young children, setting up child-friendly spaces is essential to creating a safe, engaging, and functional environment where kids can thrive.

Thoughtfully designed spaces encourage creativity, provide comfort, and enhance safety, ensuring your home feels welcoming for every member of the family. This process also allows you to involve your children, making the transition smoother and more enjoyable for them.

Thoughtfully designed spaces encourage creativity. Consider a separate playroom where children can enjoy their toys and games without cluttering shared spaces. Encourage your child to help select the colors or themes for their space.

Photo: Katie Emslie/Unsplash

Understanding the Needs of Your Children

Children’s needs evolve as they grow, and their spaces should adapt accordingly. Safety features are paramount for toddlers, while older children benefit from areas that inspire learning and play. Observing your child’s preferences and routines can guide decisions about layouts, colors, and the types of furniture to include. Engaging your children in small choices, like picking colors or themes, can help them feel included and excited about their new home.

Choosing the Right Location for Play Areas

Selecting the right location within your home is crucial when setting up child-friendly spaces. Play areas should be close to high-traffic areas, such as the kitchen or living room, so you can supervise your child while attending to daily tasks.

Consider a separate playroom where children can enjoy their toys and games without cluttering shared spaces if space allows. In smaller homes, creative solutions like corner play zones or foldable play setups can make the most of limited space. Adding a playmat or a colorful rug can help define these areas, making them visually distinct and inviting for children.

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Prioritizing Safety in Design

Safety should be at the forefront when creating spaces for children. Secure heavy furniture like bookshelves and dressers to the wall to prevent tipping. Use outlet covers, cabinet locks, and corner protectors on furniture to minimize hazards. Flooring options such as carpets or foam mats can reduce the risk of slips and falls. Installing safety gates in areas like staircases or kitchens can provide additional layers of protection. Regularly inspecting the space for potential dangers ensures ongoing safety and peace of mind for parents.

Creating Zones for Play, Learning, and Relaxation

Children benefit from spaces that support a variety of activities. Designating specific zones for play, learning, and relaxation within a single room can help organize their daily routines. A well-lit desk with storage for supplies creates a conducive space for homework, while soft seating like bean bags or cushions provides a cozy spot for reading or quiet time.

Personalizing your child’s space makes it feel special and unique to them.

Rotating toys and books in the play zone can keep the space fresh and exciting for your child. Incorporating a small rug or mat can visually define these zones, making the room feel organized and purposeful while encouraging kids to explore each area.

Small boy playing with shells

Set up a nature-themed area for rocks, shells, or other items they collect to help them personalize their play space.

Photo: Paige Cody/Unsplash

Selecting Child-Friendly Furniture

The right furniture plays a key role in setting up child-friendly spaces. Opt for sturdy pieces, low to the ground and free of sharp edges. Appropriate tables and chairs allow children to feel comfortable and independent.

Consider multifunctional furniture, such as beds with built-in drawers or benches with storage compartments, to maximize utility while minimizing clutter. Selecting neutral or timeless designs ensures the furniture grows with your child and complements evolving decor.

Adding Personalized Touches

Personalizing your child’s space makes it feel special and unique to them. Wall decals featuring their favorite characters, a gallery of their artwork, or a small display shelf for treasured items can create a sense of ownership. Including their input when selecting colors or themes fosters a sense of independence and helps them feel more connected to their new environment. Adding a family photo or a cherished item from their previous home can also provide a comforting sense of familiarity. Elements like a personalized nameplate or custom bedding can enhance their emotional connection to the space.

Using Storage Solutions to Stay Organized

Keeping children’s spaces tidy is easier with smart storage solutions. Bins, baskets, and shelves that are easy for kids to reach encourage them to take part in organizing their belongings. Labeling storage containers with words or pictures helps younger children understand where items belong.

If additional storage is needed during the moving process, companies like Valley Relocation and Storage can provide convenient options to store excess belongings while you settle into your new space. Built-in storage units can further optimize space while maintaining a clutter-free environment.

Incorporating Nature and Natural Light

Integrating nature into your home can positively affect children’s well-being. Place small potted plants in their room or set up a nature-themed corner with rocks, leaves, or other items they collect. Ensure plenty of natural light reaches their space by using light curtains or positioning play areas near windows. Adding a small fish tank or terrarium can also introduce an engaging natural element that teaches children responsibility.

If natural light is limited, warm LED lights can create a cozy atmosphere while mimicking the benefits of daylight.

Adapting to Different Ages and Stages

As children grow, their needs and preferences change. Furniture that once worked for a toddler may no longer suit a preteen, so flexibility is essential.

Invest in adjustable furniture, like desks or chairs, that can grow with your child. Open shelving can evolve from storing toys to housing books or hobbies. Incorporating versatile decor elements, like modular storage or interchangeable wall art, helps the space adapt effortlessly to their changing needs. Regularly involving your child in decisions about updates ensures the space remains functional and reflects their unique personality.

Making the Move Comfortable for Kids

Setting up child-friendly spaces in a new home ensures your children feel secure, happy, and inspired in their surroundings. You can create areas where your kids can grow and thrive by prioritizing safety, personalization, and functionality. As you settle into your new space, remember that thoughtful design can significantly affect how your family experiences your home. Including your children in the process enhances space and strengthens their sense of belonging and connection to their new home.

Nurturing this trait could bolster your child's confidence

Creativity can even serve as a powerful catalyst for educational, emotional and cognitive growth. Parents and caregivers play a critical role in incorporating creative moments into their child's day. When a child creates something, it is empowering and a confidence booster.

Family Features - Creative expression not only helps children convey their thoughts and feelings, but it also helps build the self-esteem and resilience needed to navigate life's complexities. Creativity can even serve as a powerful catalyst for educational, emotional and cognitive growth.

These findings are part of a Crayola-commissioned study conducted by YouGov of 702 6- to 12-year-olds that explored the connection between creativity and the development of essential life skills. The study revealed that when faced with challenges, children most often rely on their own creative ideas rather than depending on others or giving up. This instinct to turn inward for solutions demonstrates a natural tendency toward creative problem-solving.

Photo: Stephen Andrews/Unsplash

More specifically, the study found 92% of participants believe being creative boosts their confidence, and 6 in 10 said participating in a creative activity gives them a sense of pride. What's more, 65% of children shared that engaging in a creative activity makes them feel happy and excited to participate.

"Creative activities help children recognize their unique talents and develop a deeper belief in their abilities - giving children an incredible sense of joy and accomplishment," said Cheri Sterman, senior director of education, Crayola. "By prioritizing creativity, we not only enhance children's immediate happiness and sense of pride but also equip them with the confidence and skills they need for future challenges."

The study supports the premise of Crayola's Campaign for Creativity, an advocacy initiative championing the importance of childhood creativity as a critical life skill that empowers kids to reach their full potential and encouraging adults to nurture that creativity.

Parents and caregivers play a critical role in incorporating creative moments into their child's day, whether it's in a traditional form of artwork or reflected in a wide range of other activities, including storytelling, drama, dance, music and even sports.

Notably, more than half of survey participants (53%) shared they wished they could spend more time expressing themselves creatively with a parent or caretaker.

"Engaging in creative activities together is a powerful way for parents and children to strengthen their bond while helping children grow into confident, capable individuals," Sterman said.

As a parent, you can tap into programs such as Crayola Creativity Week to gather ideas and inspiration for nurturing creativity that promotes development of essential life skills, including:

Self-Expression: Engaging in creative activities allows children to express their thoughts, feelings and identities. This expression helps them better understand themselves and fosters a sense of ownership over their ideas and creations.
Confidence: Sparking creative moments with kids allows them to build their confidence through self-expression, idea exploration and problem solving. This, in turn, empowers them to tackle challenges, think independently and develop resilience.
Problem Solving: In the study, children reported often turning to their own creative ideas to face challenges. Fostering creative problem-solving empowers children to navigate obstacles independently.
Self-Esteem: When children feel free to create without fear of judgment, they develop a sense of accomplishment and pride in their work, which can strengthen their self-esteem. Creative activities also help them recognize their unique talents and develop a deeper belief in their abilities.
Creative Capacity: The act of creating something can empower children. When they conceptualize and execute their ideas, they realize they have the skills to turn their thoughts into reality.
Resilience: The creative process involves experimentation and failure. Children learn that setbacks are part of learning, which enhances their resilience. This experience fosters a belief in their ability to bounce back and tackle future challenges independently.

You can discover inspiration for nurturing your children's creativity, including free creativity resources at Crayola.com/CreativeMoments.

Baby on the way? 5 ways to prepare first-time siblings

Photo provided

BRANDPOINT MEDIA - Welcoming a baby to the family can be an exciting time, but it also impacts the existing family dynamic and lifestyle. First-time siblings may be overwhelmed and confused by these sudden changes that come with a new baby.

However, parents can help soon-to-be siblings get ready for the changes ahead. Check out these five tips that can help children prepare for becoming first-time siblings.

1. Set expectations

Communication is key to setting first-time siblings at ease. Begin by explaining the care newborns need. Make sure to emphasize that just because the baby needs more time and attention doesn't mean that an older child is being replaced.

Also, discuss what it means to be an older sibling and how they can help take care of the baby. By setting these expectations, your older child will be better prepared for the adjustments and responsibilities that come with the arrival of a younger sibling.

2. Practice gentle touch

It's important to teach young children how fragile newborns are, especially if your older child is around a year old. Practice gentle touch with your child so they know how to handle their sibling with care.

A great way to practice gentle touch is with interactive play with a baby doll like BABY born My First Baby. For over 30 years, parents and grandparents have relied on these toys that foster compassion and nurturing play and teach developmental skills to young children.

This baby doll is the perfect first companion for your little one, with her soft body that is ideal for cuddles. Using this doll, you can safely teach your older child how to nurture and care for their future sibling.

3. Include them in the baby's routine

A great way to help first-time siblings feel included is to involve them in the baby's daily routine. How involved they can be will depend on their age, but even small tasks like singing a lullaby or picking out the baby's clothes can create a bond between siblings.

Children around age 3 and older can practice with a BABY born My Real Baby. This lifelike doll is just like a real baby - she makes baby sounds, sucks on her bottle or pacifier with an actual moving mouth, goes potty, goes to sleep and even cries real tears.

Once the baby arrives, encourage your older child to take care of their doll while you take care of the baby. When your newborn needs a diaper change, your older child can change their baby doll's diaper. By including them in these activities and routines, you can foster a sense of responsibility and love between siblings.

4. Encourage siblings to participate in the baby's milestones

First smiles, first words and first steps are memories families cherish forever. As your younger child grows, encourage your older child to help their sibling reach important milestones.

For example, before the baby arrives and while they're small, your older child can practice helping a baby learn to walk with the BABY born Learn To Walk doll. This doll really crawls on her own and walks with the help of your child! To crawl, simply set the doll down in a crawling position, and she'll start moving across the floor, complete with adorable crawling sounds and motions. Sometimes, the doll will fall and cry, but she gets right back up to try again - just like a real baby. The doll can take her first steps when your child holds her hands, making it an interactive and delightful experience as they help her learn to walk. Make sure to tell them about the first time they achieved these milestones, too! It's a fun and touching way to connect their experiences with their siblings.

5. Nurture sibling play

Sibling playtime is an important part of child development for older and younger siblings. By playing with their younger siblings, older children can help them develop social skills, communication abilities and emotional intelligence, as well as gain more of these skills, too.

Of course, some activities will be too advanced for newborns. Your child can practice playing with their siblings by including their baby doll in their solo playtime. The BABY born Tricycle accessory allows your older child to take any of their BABY born dolls out for a stroll. There's even a handle for kids to push their doll around while they sit safely on the trike.

With some love, patience and forethought, you can easily prepare first-time siblings to welcome the newest addition to the family. To learn more about the power of nurture play, visit BABYborn.MGAE.com.

Keeping children out of harms way, firearm safety begins at home

Approximately 40% of U.S. households with children have firearms, of which 15% stored at least one firearm loaded and unlocked

StatePoint Media - Firearm violence has become the leading killer of children and young adults under 24, surpassing deaths from vehicle collisions since 2017. And while daily headlines emphasize news of mass shootings, most firearms-related deaths and injuries are preventable and occur in a familiar place -- at home.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is not only calling attention to the sobering statistics, but is also offering tools for families, communities and governmental entities to help prevent gun violence. Parents can learn more at HealthyChildren.org.

Gun & Money

Photo: Mike Gunner/Pixabay

Approximately 40% of U.S. households with children have firearms, of which 15% stored at least one firearm loaded and unlocked, the storage method with the highest risk.

“Firearms are pervasive in America, but we do have reason for hope,” said Dr. Lois K. Lee, a pediatric emergency medicine physician who specializes in injury prevention. “Research has revealed effective ways to prevent or reduce the risks of harm, just as our country did to improve motor vehicle safety. This is a public health epidemic that we can do something about, through a combination of regulation, legislation, education and individual steps like securely storing firearms in the home.”

Pediatric practitioners are encouraged to counsel families, offer mental health screenings and promote secure firearm storage as part of routine visits. As with other consumer products, the AAP supports regulating firearms for safety and notes that national requirements could be established for safe storage, training, licensing, insurance coverage and registration.

State extreme risk protection order laws, also known as “red flag laws,” which prohibit individuals at risk of harming themselves or others from purchasing or owning a firearm by a court order, are also becoming more common.

Evidence shows that the risk of injury or death is greatly reduced when firearms are securely stored, unloaded and locked, with the ammunition locked in a separate place that youth can’t access.

Unfortunately, 40% of U.S. households with children have firearms, of which 15% are stored in the least secure way. One study demonstrated that if 20% of parents who currently store their firearms unlocked instead stored their firearms and ammunition locked away separately, there would be an estimated decrease of up to 122 pediatric firearm-related fatalities and 201 injuries annually nationwide.

Because having firearms at home substantially increases the risk of suicide, homicide and unintentional shootings, the AAP also suggests that families consider storing firearms outside the home completely.

Just this week, a 14-year-old suspect took a weapon given to him as a gift from his father to school and open fired, killing four people.

“Even when they’ve been trained not to touch firearms, we know that young children are curious and will often pick up a firearm–and even pull the trigger–if they find it,” Dr. Lee said. “Make sure, wherever your child is going this summer for playdates and vacation–including the homes of relatives–that you ask about how firearms are secured in the home.

“You can frame this as a safety conversation and talk about food allergies and car seats, and then ask about how firearms are stored. But also think about other options if you have concerns–perhaps offer to meet at a park or museum, or invite their child over to your home to play.”

Between 2015 and 2022, there were at least 2,802 unintentional shootings by children age 17 and younger. These resulted in 1,083 deaths and 1,815 nonfatal firearm injuries, nearly all among other kids. And at least 895 preschoolers and toddlers found a firearm and unintentionally shot themselves or someone else during this time.

“Ultimately, we will need a multipronged approach to substantially decrease firearm injuries and deaths among U.S. youth,” Dr. Lee said. “This is a public health epidemic that requires urgent, deliberative action. We must do better–our children deserve it.”