BeSMART: A call for safety

Did you know that every year, nearly 300 children age 17 and under gain access to a gun and unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else, and nearly 500 more die by suicide with a gun? Many of these deaths are entirely preventable with responsible gun storage. Sadly, we have witnessed these tragedies in our own communities here in North Idaho in recent months.

As local co-leaders of Moms Demand Action North Idaho, we are helping spread the word of the BeSMART for Kids program. BeSMART is aimed at keeping our kids safer by introducing these five easy steps to parenting and everyday life:

S: Secure guns in homes and vehicles

M: Model responsible behavior

A: Ask about unsecured guns in other homes

R: Recognize the risks of teen suicide

T: Tell your peers to be SMART

For more information on how to keep our kids safe from unintended gun violence, please visit http://besmartforkids.org/

SUE MORGAN DePEW

ALICE ARAMBARRI

Co-Leads for Moms Demand Action North Idaho

and BeSMART trainers