Jennifer Mensik Kennedy PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN’s Post

American Nurses Association Endorses American Academy of Nursing’s Statement “Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention” The American Nurses Association (ANA) endorses the American Academy of Nursing’s (AAN) Statement “Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention.” Since 1994, ANA has considered gun violence a #publichealth issue and has made calls for policy actions on the need to limit the availability of handguns, ban assault weapons, and require a waiting period and background check for gun purchasers. AAN’s statement overlaps considerably with ANA’s historic position and calls to action. #anac #nurseadvocacy #advocacy https://lnkd.in/daqr6zuK

According to an analysis published on Thursday, the rate of firearm fatalities among children under 18 increased by 87 percent from 2011 through 2021 in the United States. The death rate attributable to car accidents fell by almost half, leaving firearm injuries the top cause of accidental death in children. The finding underscores additional data showing that firearm injuries are now the leading cause of death among Americans under 20. Some 2,590 children and teenagers under the age of 18 died of firearm injuries in 2021, up from 1,311 in 2011, according to the study, which was published in the journal Pediatrics. In other industrialized countries, guns are not even among the top three causes of death for children. #firearms #guns #death #children #childfatalities

The most common types of fatal accidents among unattended children involve: ☑️ Suffocation ☑️ Falls ☑️ Fire ☑️ Burns ☑️ Drowning ☑️ Firearms ☑️ Choking ☑️ Poisoning ☑️ Pedestrian https://lnkd.in/gMP8URQn #PersonalInjuryLawyers #PersonalInjury #Lawyers

Guns killed a record number of children in the United States in 2021, according to a new analysis of CDC data. The study, published in the journal American Academy of Pediatrics, said 4,752 children died from a firearm injury in 2021 — an increase of almost 42 percent from 2018. The figures make 2021 the second year in a row in which guns were the leading cause of death among children and adolescents in the United States, surpassing cars, drug overdoses and cancer. #guns #gunviolence #firearms #CDC #publichealth In 2020, firearms for the first time killed more children and adolescents than car accidents, which had long been the leading cause of death for young people, and gun deaths continued to outpace cars for that age group in 2021, a Washington Post analysis found last year. Provisional CDC data from 2022 indicates that firearms remained the leading factor in child deaths, according to KFF and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The analysis, which looked at children and adolescents from newborn to age 19, found nearly two-thirds of the deaths among children in 2021 were homicides, almost 30 percent were suicides and 3.5 percent resulted from “unintentional injury.” https://lnkd.in/dGFpCk8C

Gun Shaped Candy Dangers in River City In River City, a new and worrying trend has emerged involving candy that bears the imprint of a gun. This particular candy, which is being marketed as "child-friendly" and linked to the popular TV show Paw Patrol, raises significant concerns. Firstly, the depiction of a gun on a piece of candy, especially one targeted towards children, is deeply problematic. Such imagery can desensitize young minds to the seriousness of firearms and potentially blur the lines between real and play weapons. This is a matter of public safety and child welfare. Moreover, linking this candy to Paw Patrol brings additional layers of concern. It's important to note that some critiques of Paw Patrol point to its portrayal of police and authority figures, arguing that it may inadvertently contribute to a one-dimensional and unrealistic portrayal of law enforcement. While these are broader cultural discussions, the association of this show with gun-shaped candy exacerbates these concerns. As a proactive measure, River City Police Department (RCPD) is urging the public to turn in any such candy they find. This step is not only about removing potentially harmful products from circulation but also about sending a clear message regarding the appropriateness of such items, especially in the context of children's products. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any sightings of this candy. RCPD's initiative to destroy these items is a part of their commitment to community safety and the well-being of children. By working together, we can ensure that our community remains a safe and nurturing environment for all. Chief Sharris (they/them) Stockpile Defense,LLC

💔 The Uvalde school shooting response reiterates the failures in family reunification, with "families received incorrect information suggesting that a child had survived when they had not." Eliminate unnecessary trauma, utilize Simple Tracking System to efficiently and accurately track patients and survivors following a mass casualty incident -- https://lnkd.in/gFVtHr6N https://lnkd.in/ei3RZXdH #uvalde #reunification #familyreunification #response #EMS #patienttracking #patient #patients #MCI #masscasualty #prehospital #hospital #hospitals #communication #uvaldeschoolshooting #schoolshooting #shooting #AAR #review #lessons #recommendations #publicsafety #firstresponders

Seeing healthcare leaders gather with a mutual focus around the good of our community is always inspiring. Last week was no different. I was honored to speak at a White House event, representing Intermountain Health about what healthcare organizations can and are doing collectively to help prevent suicide deaths by firearms and improve safety in our communities. I was joined by Neil M. Meltzer, MPH, MHA, CEO of LifeBridge Health in Baltimore, Brent J. Cohen, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Justice Programs at the US Department of Justice, Michael Dowling, Northwell Health CEO, Sonia Chessen, Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), representatives from the National Health Care CEO Council on Gun Violence Prevention & Safety, and other healthcare leaders. Our goal is to strengthen one another to make a positive change in our communities. This work all ties directly back to our mission of helping people live the healthiest lives possible. Firearms are the leading cause of death by suicide in Intermountain’s six primary states. Health systems and hospitals throughout the country see firsthand the physical and mental health toll firearm injuries have on communities. Research shows that for 73% of those contemplating suicide, less than three hours pass between their decision to die and their attempt. A study by the National Institutes of Health showed that for 42% of people, only 10 minutes passes between thought and attempt. Intermountain’s community health team set a goal to get as many gun locks into as many homes as possible, to increase time and distance for people to reconsider and seek help. Intermountain has now distributed about 67,000 free gun locks since 2019 and is finding even more ways to distribute the locks.  It is not enough to ask people to lock up their firearms and hope for the best. We also need to normalize the conversation about mental health. Intermountain has walk-in Behavioral Health Access Centers, which act as dedicated emergency rooms for individuals in a mental health crisis. Over the past year, we’ve trained more than 57,000 first responders, caregivers, teachers, and librarians on Counseling for Lethal Arms (CALM), teaching professionals to use behavioral health tools to have discussions with an individual struggling with the idea of suicide. People have different views about firearms, and I think we can all agree on one thing: We all want to keep our family, loved ones, and neighbors safe in a moment of suicidal crises. I’m grateful to the health system executives and other national leaders who are standing together to help improve firearms safety. We can help shift from divisive, politically charged conversations, and instead focus on approaches that have proven effective. While tackling the issue of firearm safety may be a daunting task, there is common ground and broad agreement we can move forward on together. 

Need to move a victim safely during first aid? Learn how to create a four-handed seat for efficient lifting and shifting! 💪 Crafting a four-handed seat involves coordination among 2 individuals positioned strategically around the victim. Communication is 🔑 to synchronize movements and ensure a smooth lift. The pair of rescuers should interlock arms beneath the victim's knees maintaining comfort and stability. 🤝 Coordination and synchronization are crucial to prevent further injury. With synchronized efforts, lift the victim smoothly, ensuring adequate support and security throughout. Regular reassessment of the victim's condition is essential during transport. Once lifted, shift the victim to a safer location for assessment and treatment, adjusting lifting techniques as needed. Stay coordinated, stay safe! #FirstAid #EmergencyResponse #SafetyFirst #Healthcare #Rescue #Teamwork #StaySafe