59 Regional Hospitals Unite Together with a single message
Doesn’t
Kill to Ask
If there’s an unlocked
gun in the house
For the first time, guns have overtaken all other causes of death in children.
on how to ask parents about
unlocked guns in the home
Arm Yourself with a
Lifesaving Question
By mobilizing a Tri-State coalition of 13 health systems representing 59 regional hospitals in Philadelphia, Southeastern Pennsylvania, Delaware and Southern New Jersey, we can depolarize gun safety, overcome this national health epidemic and reduce injuries and deaths caused by firearms. How? By developing prevention strategies that are part of your routine health care.
One Question Can
Save a Child’s Life
An average of 13 children die from guns every day, making guns the leading cause of death in children in the U.S. But there is a way you can protect your child. Ask your family and friends if there’s an unlocked gun in the house. It can save a life and it doesn’t kill to ask.
Data is from the final Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2018-2020, and from provisional data for years 2021-2022, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program.
Nearly 5 million children live in homes with unlocked or unsupervised guns. Last year at least 377 unintentional shootings by children resulted in 145 deaths. (From Brady United Against Gun Violence)
Gun safety requires a comprehensive approach to prevention and treatment through community education, outreach and advocacy. A key part of prevention is normalizing conversations about gun storage.
speak up about
safe gun storage
and feel empowered
to ask other parents about access to guns
in a home your child might visit
Access to unlocked guns may lead to death, suicide and gun violence, making it more likely that children will die from guns than cancer or automobile accidents.
Foster the Conversation
We know it can be difficult to start a conversation about guns, which is why we offer some ways to make the process as seamless as possible. Choose whichever way that best fits your family.
Make the conversation as normal as asking about pets or food allergies before a play date.
Getting Together
Thirteen health systems representing 59 hospitals in Philadelphia, Southeastern Pennsylvania, Delaware and Southern New Jersey are united in addressing significant health issues facing tri-state communities.
In addition to each health system addressing ongoing health challenges, they present a united voice in tackling head on public health crises that can result in serious and avoidable health consequences. These hospitals and their hundreds of thousands of physicians, nurses and other clinical and support staff and volunteers are dedicated to saving lives and making a difference in the health of millions of people throughout the tri-state region.
They first came together in 2020 to encourage masking during the pandemic and lead other initiatives, The new name for the collaboration, HospitalsTogether.com demonstrates their commitment to joining forces for the public good with messages of prevention and safety, hope and healing.