Safe Storage

Lockboxes can be used to safely store dangerous items like guns (firearms) and medicines. Children are at higher risk of death and injury caused by shootings and drugs. Children as young as 5 are strong enough to pull a gun trigger.

What to Store in a Lockbox

To help keep your child safe, you can put the following in a lockbox:

  • Firearms and ammunition (ammo) 
  • Medicines (over-the-counter, prescriptions, and vitamins)
  • Knives, razors, needles, and other sharp objects
  • Illegal drugs 
  • Anything that can harm your child
  • Marijuana products, supplies, and edibles
  • E-cigarettes, vape pens, and their supplies

Gun Storage

Always store guns unloaded and with the safety on. That means without bullets, shells, or other ammo in them. Do not store ammo with firearms. Keep ammo stored in a separate place. A cable lock can also be used instead of a lockbox. Always use a cable lock or a trigger lock for guns too large for a lockbox. A gun safe is a good option too. Hiding guns or medicines does not mean they’re safely stored. Your child may still find them.

Children Under 5 Years Old

Young children learn by exploring the world around them. They crawl, walk, put things in their mouth, and grab most things they see. This puts them at a high risk of injury. They will try to get into things like firearms, medicines, and drugs. The best way to keep them safe is to keep dangerous items like this out of their reach and put them in a lockbox.

School-Age Children and Teens

Below are things to store in lockboxes if you have school-age or teen children.

Medicine

  • Children this age may try taking medicines or other substances. This can cause injury, death, or substance problems in the future.
  • Keep all prescription medicines, even your child’s, stored in a lockbox.

Guns

  • Guns are often used by pre-teens and teens to harm others or themselves.
  • Most of the time, the firearm they use was already in their home.
  • Locking up guns can reduce the risk of suicide and injuries.

Tobacco and marijuana

  • A lot of young people try tobacco before they turn 18. They may also try drugs, vaping, or smoking marijuana. Trying these early can cause addiction. It can also lead to using more dangerous drugs.

Poisoning – If you think your child has come into contact with a poison:

  • DO NOT make them throw up!
  • Call the Poison Control Helpline at 1 (800) 222-1222. Save this number in your cell phone for emergencies.
    • Poison Control is a free, confidential service that can be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
    • You can also contact Poison Control online at poison.org with webPOISONCONTROL®.
    • Calls and online requests are always answered by expert nurses and pharmacists.

If your child passes out or is not breathing, call 911 or take them to the closest emergency room right away.

When to Call 911

Call 911 for emergency help if your child:

  • Has trouble breathing.
  • Has a seizure.
  • Is gasping, wheezing, or grunting.
  • Was shot.
  • Starts having skin color changes, like grayish blue or very pale color.
  • Hard to wake up (lethargic), acts confused, or doesn’t know what they’re doing.

Other

You can be held responsible by law if a crime is committed using a gun you own, even if you weren’t the one using it. For example:

  • In Ohio, it is a crime to not report your firearm missing as soon as you notice it.
  • You will be held responsible if a minor (someone under 18) uses your gun in a crime.

Storing guns safely reduces this risk.

Helping Hands™ Patient Education Materials

Helping Hands™ are easy-to-read guides about different illnesses, therapies, surgeries, and more. They’re created by the Patient Education team at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and are reviewed and approved by clinical staff, like nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and psychologists. Nationwide Children's Hospital is not responsible for misuse of information in patient education materials, including Helping Hands.

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