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National SAFE Day

Ensuring secure firearm storage enhances community safety, fostering responsible ownership practices, and prioritizing household well-being.

Items & Things Safety45

Marketing angleinferred

Position firearm safety storage solutions and educational resources as essential household protection products during National SAFE Day to reach responsible parents and families.

Relevance 45medium intent

Share the SAFE acronym (Secure, Ask, Frequently talk, Educate) as a simple home safety checklist parents can implement immediately
Feature customer stories of families who invested in secure storage solutions and prevented tragedies
Create educational infographics on firearm storage best practices and statistics to drive awareness and community conversation
Partner with parenting influencers and safety advocates to amplify the message about responsible gun ownership and household protection

History

The first National SAFE Day took place in 2016 when it was founded by the Brooklynn Mae Mohler Foundation.

The purpose behind the day was to raise awareness about the importance of practicing firearm safety and to remind people about the devastating impact carelessness can have on individuals, families and communities.

National SAFE Day is observed on this particular day as it is the anniversary of the accidental shooting of Brooklynn Mae Mohler that took place in 2013.

Mohler was only 13 years old when she was visiting a friend and was shot when her friend found a gun in a kitchen cabinet and began playing with it. The safety was off and, tragically, Brooklynn was killed as a result.

This day was founded by her parents in honor of Brooklynn and children like her who have been unnecessarily wounded or killed due to firearm accidents.

National SAFE Day seeks to bring attention to the need to safely store firearms in the home and to remember the many children whose lives have been lost in this manner.

How to celebrate

Store Firearms Safely

Those who choose to have firearms in their house must be diligent and meticulous about keeping their family and community protected by storing them properly. National SAFE Day uses the acronym SAFE to act as a simple reminder of the best practices for firearm safety in your own home or someone else’s: Secure all firearms in the home Ask questions of homes your child visitsFrequently talk to children about the dangers of firearmsEducate and Empower others in the community to be safe National SAFE Day is also a good time to share these principles on social media to get more people involved and prevent more gun deaths! Learn About Firearms Facts When individuals make choices about whether they should purchase a firearm, it is important to be educated about the statistics, risks, issues and responsibilities that can come with owning a gun. Consider some of these facts related to firearms:Though many people buy firearms for personal protection, according to a 2022 study, owning a gun puts people in the home at a greater risk of being killedWhile mass shootings are the most visible form of gun violence in the US, they only account for a small portion of all fatal shootingsOne study has shown that women living with handgun owners were 50% more likely to to die by suicide than their female neighbors without handguns

FAQ

What are the most effective ways to store firearms safely in a home with children?

Research shows that the safest approach is to keep every firearm unloaded, locked, and stored separately from locked ammunition, with keys or combinations hidden from children. Recommended options include lockable gun safes, lock boxes, or permanently installed locked cabinets, along with trigger or cable locks as an added layer rather than the only barrier. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that these methods significantly reduce the risk of unintentional injury, suicide, and theft when compared with keeping guns loaded, unlocked, or accessible in nightstands, vehicles, or closets.

How does asking about guns in other people’s homes actually improve children’s safety?

Asking another household whether they keep guns and how they store them helps parents assess risk and, if needed, request safer practices before a visit. Public health research has found that many unintentional shootings of children occur in a friend’s or relative’s home where guns are stored loaded and unlocked. Normalizing brief, nonjudgmental questions about firearms, alongside questions about pets or allergies, gives adults a chance to agree on precautions such as locked storage or supervised play, which can prevent tragedies without requiring anyone to give up firearm ownership.

Does safe firearm storage really reduce youth suicide risk, and if so, how?

Safe storage reduces youth suicide risk by limiting immediate access to a highly lethal method during moments of crisis. Studies in the United States have shown that households that lock both firearms and ammunition have significantly lower risks of suicide among children and adolescents compared with homes where guns are kept loaded and unlocked. Because suicide attempts that involve firearms are far more likely to be fatal than attempts using other means, even a short delay created by locked storage can be enough time for the crisis to pass or for someone to intervene.

What do pediatricians and medical organizations recommend parents say to kids about guns?

Pediatric and medical groups recommend that adults give children clear, age-appropriate messages that real guns are not toys, and that if a child sees a gun, they should not touch it, should leave the area, and should tell a trusted adult immediately. Experts advise repeating this message regularly, just as parents repeat lessons about traffic or water safety, and avoiding demonstrations that make guns seem exciting or playful. Many organizations also encourage parents to explain that even if a gun looks unloaded or “on safe,” it can still fire and cause permanent harm.

Are there cultural or regional differences in how families approach firearm safety?

Approaches to firearm safety vary across countries and within regions, often reflecting local laws, hunting traditions, and attitudes toward self defense. In some countries with high rates of gun ownership but strong storage regulations, such as requirements to lock firearms and store ammunition separately, overall firearm death rates are considerably lower than in places with looser rules. Within the United States, surveys show that families in rural areas are more likely to own long guns for hunting, while urban households more often own handguns, which can influence both storage methods and perceived risks. Despite these differences, public health and law enforcement groups broadly agree on the value of keeping firearms locked, unloaded, and out of children’s reach.

How can gun owners balance quick access for self defense with secure storage?

Safety experts suggest choosing storage methods that keep a firearm inaccessible to children and unauthorized users while still allowing the owner to reach it quickly in an emergency. Options include lock boxes or safes with rapid-access mechanisms, such as biometric or keypad locks, that keep the gun unloaded and secured until needed. Research on defensive gun use shows that real emergencies are relatively rare, while unsecured guns present a constant risk of accidental shootings, theft, or suicide, so many professionals recommend prioritizing secure storage and then selecting the fastest secure option that fits the household’s needs.

What should someone do if a friend or family member stores guns unsafely but does not want to change?

Experts suggest approaching the conversation with respect and concern rather than blame, focusing on shared goals such as protecting children and avoiding theft. It can help to ask permission to talk about safety, briefly share facts about the risks of unlocked and loaded guns, and offer practical resources like free gun locks or local safety training, which some police departments, health systems, and community groups provide. If the person still refuses to change storage habits, parents may decide to limit unsupervised visits for children or suggest meeting in neutral locations, while continuing to keep the dialogue open for future discussions.