WHAM

Preventing Firearm Injuries

WHAM

W hat risks are observed on scene?

H ow can we keep from coming back?

A ction to take to prevent future injuries M aterials to leave behind

Firearm Injuries

    Firearm injuries are the 4 th leading cause of injury death in Washington State (2005) Unintentional firearm death victims in 2005:    4 deaths: 10 – 19 y.o.

3 deaths: 20 – 29 y.o.

5 deaths: 40 – 54 y.o.

34% of Washington State households had a firearm (2004) Of these:  7% kept a loaded firearm  4% kept a loaded and unlocked firearm Half the suicides in Washington State were committed with firearms--396 firearm suicides in 2005

W hat risks are observed on scene?

Dispatched to an accidental shooting, you find an 11-year-old male who has a minor injury from a gunshot wound to his right foot. He was showing the gun to a friend at the time of the shooting. The friend is scared but unhurt.

H ow can we keep from coming back?

A ction to take to prevent further injuries

   Encourage adults to store firearms locked and unloaded, with bullets locked in a separate location Encourage use of a gun safe, lock box, trigger lock or chamber lock Combination or finger-sequence locks are recommended over key-type locks The American Academy of Pediatrics states:

"...the absence of guns from children's homes and communities is the most reliable and effective measure to prevent firearm-related injuries in children and adolescents…”

M aterials to leave behind

 Utilize WHAM folder on rig  Lok-It Up “Firearm Locking Devices” brochure

Further info on Preventing Accidental Firearm Injuries

 Links: www.lokitup.org

WHAM developed by:

Central Pierce Fire & Rescue City of DuPont Fire Department Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One Safe Kids Pierce County Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept.

With funding from: West Region EMS & Trauma Care Council