Safe Gun Storage Saves Lives

A Message from

Child Care Aware of Virginia

November 2021

Child Care Aware of Virginia is committed to access to safe, quality care for all children. We believe safety should be the #1 priority in all settings and situations to support education and development. Tragic accidents related to unsupervised firearm use by children can be prevented, and it starts with ensuring parents, caregivers, families, and early childhood professionals follow simple steps to keep children in their care safe.

Child Care Aware of Virginia encourages all families and caregivers to make firearm safety a top priority. All firearms in your home should be l ocked and unloaded, with ammunition locked separately and stored out of children’s reach.

Learn More

If you would like a free Project ChildSafe Safety Kit, which includes a cable-style gun lock and safety instructions, click below to find a distribution partner near you. Be sure to contact the partner to verify that supplies are available.

Locate A Free Safety Kit

Cole's Story

On May 15, 2017, 4 year old Cole Clark died as a result of a self-inflicted gun shot wound in the home of his child care provider.

“We may never know the true details of that day. What we can do, on behalf of Cole, is to work to ensure that no family has to go through the tragedy that we have faced.”

-Kyrin Falcetti

In The News

Child Care Aware of Virginia implores the public to store firearms locked, unloaded and out of the reach of children, with ammunition stored in a separate, locked location. Children as young as 2 years old have the strength and curiosity to pull a trigger. It is the responsibility of all gun owners to ensure their firearm is never accessible to children. It’s not about owning guns. It’s about being responsible for safe gun storage.