Written by Kim Furlow, communications manager at Institute for Public Health
Firearm injuries are the second leading cause of death in children. Safe storage is an essential step in ensuring that children are not harmed by bullets, an occurrence that happens all too often in the home.
A study conducted by pediatric surgeons from the two children’s hospitals in St. Louis shows that 40% of pediatric firearm injuries were in fact unintentional injuries.
In an effort to reduce these injuries, and in coordination with a September 2019 congressional Gun Violence Task Force committee hearing, this public service announcement is being released by Power4STL, a non-profit organization of St. Louis health care professionals working to reduce the impact of violence in the region. The public service announcement represents an effort to help motivate and educate the public in best practices regarding home firearm and ammunition storage.
Lead by trauma surgeons, Drs. Joseph Sakran and LJ Punch, featuring the art of Ian Wood, a fourth year Washington University in St. Louis medical student, and brought to life through the writing and voice acting of Dr. Marty K. Casey, this collaboration of professionals represents the power of art and science working together to address a complex public health issue. The hope is to utilize the video, with close captioning, in a variety of environments to widely disseminate the movement to #EndFamilyFire.