The Cincinnati Equirer is reporting on the success of the Hamilton County Sheriff Deptartment's 'Project ChildSafe' gun lock give-away. (Full Story)

Comments by: Joe Eaton OFCC
But what other ways can our children be made safer?

From the article:
Tiffani Wills doesn't own a gun.
But she has friends who do.
That's why the West Chester Township woman stopped by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office to pick up a few free gunlocks Sunday.
"I want to make sure their kids stay safe," Wills said. "I got three (gunlocks) and I am going to disperse them the way they need to be dispersed."

Steve Swisshelm said he already keeps his firearms "away and hidden."
He has an 8-month-old granddaughter and, although she's not mobile yet, Swisshelm wants to make sure his firearms are locked and inaccessible before the baby becomes a curious toddler.

Tiffani and Steve are doing a wonderful job trying to protect not only their childrem, but also other children in the area. And thanks to their effort at least 4-5 children may be safer.

But do you know the Ohio legislature has already earmarked $40,000 to help prevent firearm accidents among our children? These monies could be used to enhance the safety of Ohio's approximately 560,000 Pre-K to 3rd grade children.

Late in 2003 Ohio HB95 made this money available to all school districts in 2004 and 2005 to cover the costs of materials related to the 'Eddie Eagle GunSafe' program. Just imagine 560,000 children and their friends and families receiving education on what to do if they see a firearm from the program ranked '... the best of 80 gun accident prevention programs" (Source Journal of Emergency Nursing Online (October 2001).

So you are probably wondering how many of Ohio's youth have benefited from the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program?

Click 'Read More' below for the details

In 2004 a total of 7 schools had requested monies to educate our children about what to do if they see a firearm. A minimal $1,689.01 of the allowed $20,000 had been used. (Data for 2005 was not yet available but Q1 and Q2 figures will be available shortly.) Here is the 2004 reimbursements:

Only 7 out of ~3000 Ohio elementary schools are actively trying to enhance the safety of our children. Remember this the next time a tradgic accident claims the life of one of Ohio's youth. Remind the school district that they could have done more to help prevent it. Also if your school district is not listed, phone the superintendent and find out why not. By this time next year over 560,000 children could be better educated and safer.

What do kids learn from gun education?

Editorial: Time to start teaching gun safety in schools