Which safety guideline should a school RN include when teaching parents about preventing firearm injuries?

The guideline to keep ammunition and guns in separate, locked locations is crucial for preventing firearm injuries. This practice significantly reduces the risk of access by unauthorized individuals, particularly children. By storing firearms and ammunition separately and securely, parents can prevent accidental discharge, misuse, and potential tragedies associated with unauthorized use. Locked storage is an essential safety measure, as it adds an additional barrier that must be overcome before a firearm can be accessed, greatly enhancing safety in homes where children are present.

In contrast, other methods, such as storing firearms in visible locations or hiding them in places accessible to children, do not provide adequate safety measures and could lead to tragic accidents. Keeping ammunition on a high shelf, while somewhat safer than other options, still does not address the need for secure storage of firearms themselves. Overall, separating and securely locking both firearms and ammunition is the best practice to effectively enhance safety and prevent firearm injuries in the home.