S.A.F.E. Firearm Resources for Clinicians
Learn more about S.A.F.E. firearm program and how we can support clinicians and other providers to educate about firearm harm prevention with parents and families.
S.A.F.E. Firearm Program at KP
S.A.F.E. (Suicide and Accident prevention through Family Education) Firearm is designed to add only 1-2 minutes to well-child visits while providing a concrete, high-yield strategy to reduce preventable firearm injuries and deaths among children and adolescents.
Why S.A.F.E. Firearm?
Kaiser Permanente views firearm safety as a critical public health concern because firearms are currently the leading cause of death for youth in the United States. The S.A.F.E. Firearm program is an educational program to encourage secure firearm storage supported by free cable locks. The program equips clinicians to normalize conversations about secure firearm storage during routine visits by relating it to other universal prevention conversations, focusing on access prevention, and offering free cable locks to everyone regardless of firearm ownership.
How does S.A.F.E. Firearm work?
1. Clinicians are trained on the universal harm-reduction approach. Exam room posters and baskets with cable locks help support the conversation and aid lock distribution. A clinician guide serves as an important resource with practical tips for conducting firearm safety counseling.
2. Ideally, a "nudge" is also embedded within the electronic health record, and the visit note template reminds clinicians to discuss secure firearm counseling and offer a cable lock during every visit.
3. The most effective approach includes the "nudge" plus practice facilitators to provide problem solving support to clinics and physicians and help them incorporate the program into everyday practice.
Why Focus on Firearm Injury Prevention?
- Firearms are now the leading cause of death in the United States for U.S. youth, with about half of these deaths due to suicide suicides. (Goldstick 2022)
- Firearm access is a modifiable risk factor for injury and death. Even a modest increase in safe firearm storage could prevent up to 32% of firearm deaths in youth, including suicide. (Monuteaux 2019)
- Pediatric primary care is a prime point for intervention because >75% of youth visit primary care in the year prior to suicide attempt. (Ruch 2024)
- Secure firearm storage interventions are not routinely delivered in pediatrics. (Beidas 2019)
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends firearm safe storage counseling. (Lee 2002)