A groundbreaking initiative tailored to military families has emerged, aimed at bolstering the safety of infants and toddlers within these households. Tackling a wide range of concerns, including the secure storage of firearms, management of poisons and medications, prevention of drowning incidents, and parental emotional control during child meltdowns, the “Safe is Strong” project was officially launched this summer. Spearheaded by the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, this project extends its reach to both military families with young children and professionals serving these families.
Dr. Stephen Cozza, a retired Army colonel and psychiatrist, who serves as the associate director of the Child and Family Program at the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, highlighted the urgency of this endeavor, emphasizing that over 40% of children in active-duty families are under the age of 6, with 75% under the age of 12. Young parents often grapple with limited community resources, less mature partner relationships, and limited knowledge about child development, necessitating a comprehensive approach to address their unique challenges.
Of particular concern is the issue of firearm safety, as Cozza pointed out that a study of U.S. soldiers revealed that 57% of those with children own firearms. Alarmingly, of those households with firearms and children under the age of 18, 20% had at least one firearm loaded and unlocked. Cozza emphasized the critical importance of storing guns unloaded and locked, with ammunition secured separately.
Despite ongoing debates regarding the prevalence of firearms, there is unanimous agreement that firearms should be securely stored. “Safe Is Strong” aims to counteract the unsafe storage of firearms by providing vital information and resources to parents.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than a third of all unintentional shootings involving children occur in the homes of friends, neighbors, or relatives. The project advises parents to inquire about firearms and safe storage practices when arranging playdates to ensure the safety of their children.
To address these challenges, the “Safe Is Strong” project focuses on six primary areas: home safety practices, the physical home environment, safe parenting techniques, fostering healthy parenting, parental mental health, and access to resources. Topics covered include kitchen safety, safe sleep practices for babies, supporting child independence, handling child meltdowns, problem-solving for parents, communication during deployment, parenting children with social, emotional, or health challenges, reading to babies, and more.
The project also offers resources for promoting positive parent-child interactions, encouraging fathers to actively engage with their children.
Additionally, the initiative provides information on child care options, health care, nutrition assistance, and other essential resources, with the aim of ensuring military families are aware of available support services.
Drowning prevention is another crucial facet of the project, given that drowning is the leading cause of death in children aged 1 to 4 across the U.S. “Safe Is Strong” offers comprehensive guidance on water safety, both at home and in external settings, including recommendations for when to begin swim lessons.
It’s vital to remember that infants, while not mobile, require constant supervision during bathing, as they can drown silently in just one or two inches of water within seconds. Tragically, over half of bathtub-related deaths involve children younger than 1, according to the project’s information.
The “Safe is Strong” initiative is underpinned by information from reputable sources, including professional pediatric organizations and government agencies, to ensure its credibility. Continuous feedback from users will contribute to its ongoing refinement and improvement, further enhancing its efficacy in safeguarding the well-being of military families and their young children.
