News & Events

FIPP Tip October 2025

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

‘Tis the Season

It’s October! Time for colored leaves, chilly nights, and, for some, holiday parties!  Like other seasons of the year, there are many times when a child might be spending time in someone else's home. Parents or caregivers may want to know if firearms are present and how they are stored, particularly at a time of year that also marks the beginning of hunting season.

Think about situations like:

• Playdates and Sleepovers: When a child spends extended time at a friend's house.
• Babysitting: If a teen is watching children in another home.
• Parties: Birthday parties and holiday gatherings, or other social events.
• Visiting Relatives: When children are staying with grandparents, aunts, uncles, or cousins.

When is the right time for your patients to talk about firearms in the home, and how do they even start that conversation?

To help navigate these important discussions, the Ad Council, along with a group of healthcare and brand partners, has launched "Agree to Agree." The Agree to Agree’s Conversation Guides website has practical guidance for you and your patients on when and how to initiate discussions about secure firearm storage, especially when children are visiting homes where firearms might be present. Particularly helpful are videos that demonstrate how to engage in conversations about safe and secure firearm storage when making plans for children to spend time in other homes. 

As always, please remember that the FIPP Team has free cable gun locks available for distribution to your patients.  If you are interested and you have completed our Firearm Injury Prevention training, please have your clinic leader reach out to us at Preventing_Firearm_Injury@urmc.rochester.edu