Evaluation of age-appropriate firearm safety interventions

Author: Howard, P. K.
Publication: Pediatr Emerg Care
Link to Published Abstract
Topics: Age Group Education/Counseling Students
Keywords: Age Factors Child Behavior Health Education/ methods Pediatric Nursing/methods Safety
Bibliographic information +

The authors compared three possible methods to teach firearm safety to children. 67 kindergarten and first grade students were divided into four groups and tested about their firearm safety knowledge. The first group (control) received no firearm safety training. The second group participated in a discussion about firearm safety. The third group participated in a discussion about firearm safety and a psychomotor exercise. The fourth group participated in a discussion about firearm safety, a psychomotor exercise, and a role-playing exercise. All groups were tested a second time about their firearms safety knowledge. Firearm safety knowledge increased for all three groups that participated in a firearm safety exercise, with the greatest score increases in the fourth group.