BeSMART, an organization that promotes awareness that secure gun storage—storing firearms unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition—can save children’s lives, is sponsoring SMART Week from August 25th to 29th.  This is important because guns are the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States.  School shooters most often obtain firearms from the homes of families and friends.  Firearm suicide is 1/3 of all gun deaths in children and teens under 18.  Every year, 360 children under 18 access a firearm and unintentionally shoot themselves.  Every adult can play a role in keeping kids and communities safe by raising awareness of the importance of secure gun storage.  Helpful tips and resources can be found on their website--BeSMARTforkids.org.  Each letter of the word “smart” stands for a step we can each take to promote gun safety:  S=Secure all guns in homes and vehicles; M=Model responsible behavior around guns; A=Ask about the presence of unsecured firearms in other homes your child visits; R=Recognize the role of guns in suicide; T=Tell your peers to be SMART.  BeSMART reminds us that it is always an adult’s responsibility to prevent unauthorized access to firearms not a curious child’s responsibility to avoid guns, yet research finds that approximately 4.6 million children live in homes with guns that are not stored securely.  Discuss gun safety with children and teens even if guns are not present or are safely stored in your home, as they may be exposed to unsafe practices elsewhere.