Gun Safety and Security

The largest obstacle to personal safety is you. Many people think "It can't happen to me" or "what's going to happen, is going to happen".

An attack against you or your family, a fire in your home or office, a potential fatal auto incident, or some other disaster can take place at any time. But you have the power to be IN CHARGE of what happens to you and your family by taking active responsibility for your own security.

The fundamental NRA rules for safe gun handling are:
		1. ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. This is the primary rule of gun safety. A safe direction means that the gun is pointed so that even if it were to go off it would not cause injury or damage. The key to this rule is to control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed at all times. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances.
		2. ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. When holding a gun, rest your finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the gun. Until you are actually ready to fire, do not touch the trigger.
		3. ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. Whenever you pick up a gun, immediately engage the safety device if possible, and, if the gun has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and looking into the chamber(s) which should be clear of ammunition. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does.

Residential Security

• Use quality locks on all entrances, including service doors and gates.
• Don't leave keys "hidden" outside of your home.
• Keep doors locked even when you or family are at home.
• Install locks on your fuse boxes or power panel and other external power sources.
• If you have bars on your windows, review fire safety and escape routes with your family.
• If you have security alarms, check and use them.
• Keep at least one fire extinguisher on each floor, in addition to one in the kitchen.
• Regularly check smoke detectors and the replace batteries.
• Vary daily routines and avoid predictable behavior patterns.
• Know where your family members are at all times.

Security for Children

• Teach your children to never answer the door to strangers.
• Children should know local emergency phone numbers or how to dial 911.
• Children, even young ones, should know their name, address, and phone number.
• Caution teenagers about "blind dates" or meeting someone they do not know or someone the met on the internet.
• Let children know they should not give out personal information, such as home address, absence of adults, etc. over the phone or on the internet.
• Teach children to say no to strangers or even people they know if they are uncomfortable with the situation.
• Teach children how to get out of the house and where to go in case of emergency.