SMART Week, taking place from August 26–30, 2024, is the inaugural event dedicated to promoting the importance of secure gun storage to prevent gun violence. This initiative is part of the Be SMART public education program, which aims to educate communities on steps to ensure safety from gun violence. The Be SMART framework encourages individuals to:
- Secure all firearms in homes and vehicles.
- Model responsible behavior around guns.
- Ask about the presence of unsecured firearms in homes that children visit.
- Recognize the role of guns in suicide.
- Tell peers to Be SMART.
SMART Week seeks to make secure gun storage practices a community norm, especially as children return to school. The goal is to create a culture of safety that protects children and communities from gun violence.
School nurses can play a vital role in promoting SMART Week (August 26–30, 2024) by engaging in various activities to raise awareness about secure gun storage and preventing gun violence. Here are some ways we can contribute now and beyond SMART Week!
- Educational Workshops: Organize workshops or informational sessions for students, parents, and staff on the importance of secure gun storage. These sessions can cover the Be SMART principles: securing firearms, modeling responsible behavior, asking about unsecured guns, recognizing the role of guns in suicide, and encouraging discussions among peers.
- Distributing Materials: Collaborate with local organizations to distribute Be SMART educational materials throughout the school. This can include pamphlets, posters, and flyers that highlight safe gun storage practices and the impact of gun violence on children and communities.
- Social Media Campaigns: Utilize social media platforms to share information and resources about SMART Week. School nurses can create posts that educate the community about the importance of secure gun storage and encourage using the hashtag #BeSMART.
- Community Engagement: Partner with local health and safety organizations to host community events during SMART Week. These events can provide a platform for discussions on gun safety and mental health, emphasizing the role of secure gun storage in preventing accidents and suicides.
- Advocacy and Support: Advocate for policies that promote safe gun storage in schools and communities. School nurses can work with school administrations to implement safety measures and provide resources for families regarding gun safety. Click here for a step-by-step guide to advocating for your school to adopt safe storage resolutions in your district.
- Peer Education Programs: Involve students in peer education initiatives where they can learn about and promote safe gun storage practices among their classmates. This can empower students to take an active role in fostering a safer environment.
By actively participating in these initiatives, school nurses can significantly contribute to the goals of SMART Week, helping to create a safer environment for students and the broader community.
Participate in SMART Week on Social Media
- The official hashtag for all platforms is #BeSMART. Please use this hashtag in all of your SMART Week posts so we can tie the conversation together and show the scale of this campaign
- When possible, include the Be SMART website URL in your social posts: besmartforkids.org
- Ask your followers to spread the word about secure storage during SMART Week by sharing Be SMART assets on your social media accounts
- Invite your followers to learn more about the Be SMART program by texting SMART to 644-33
- Follow the Be SMART Instagram account
