Family Safety Resources

Keeping prescription medications and firearms safely stored can help prevent children and teens from gaining unauthorized access to potentially dangerous items. Virginia law (§ 18.2 308.7:1) requires school divisions to provide families with information about safe storage.

Applicable Laws

Under Virginia Code § 54.1-3401, prescription drugs are defined as any drug required by federal law to be dispensed only by prescription.

Virginia Code § 18.2-56.2 establishes the legal responsibility of parents and guardians to ensure that firearms are stored in a manner that prevents unauthorized access by minors. It is a Class 1 misdemeanor to allow a child under the age of 14 to access a loaded firearm in a manner that endangers their life or limb.

Safely Store Prescription Medications

Prescription medications should be stored securely and out of the sight and reach of children and teens.

Families are encouraged to:

• Keep prescription medications in a locked location children cannot access.
• Avoid leaving medications unattended in purses, backpacks, vehicles, countertops, or other easily accessible locations.
• Keep medications in their original, labeled containers.
• Safely dispose of unused or expired medications through an authorized medication take-back program or other appropriate disposal method.

Safely Store Firearms

Virginia law places responsibility on firearm owners and others who possess firearms to take appropriate precautions to prevent children from accessing them.

Under Virginia Code § 18.2-56.2, a person who recklessly leaves a loaded firearm where it could endanger a child under age 14 may be subject to criminal penalties when the firearm is not properly secured and other requirements of the law are met.

Families are encouraged to:

• Store firearms unloaded when not in use.
• Secure firearms in a locked safe, lockbox, or other secure storage device.
• Store ammunition separately from firearms when practical.
• Keep keys, combinations, and access codes inaccessible to children and teens.
• Use an appropriate cable lock, trigger lock, or other locking device consistent with the firearm manufacturer's instructions.
• Ask about firearm storage before allowing your child to visit another home.

Why Safe Firearm Storage Matters

Firearms can cause fatal or life-altering injuries when accidentally discharged or accessed by someone who is not authorized to use them. Firearms are also involved in youth suicides and other self-inflicted injuries.

Safe storage can reduce the likelihood a young person will gain access to a firearm during a crisis or moment of impulsive behavior.

Firearms are the leading cause of death among Virginia children and adolescents ages 1–17. Between 2019 and 2023, nearly 1 in 3 deaths among Virginia children and teens ages 1–17 involved a firearm. Of these deaths, 19.5% were firearm homicides and 11.8% were firearm suicides.

If You Are Concerned About Your Child

If you are concerned your child may be experiencing a mental health crisis, having thoughts of suicide, or presenting a danger to themselves or others, seek help promptly.

Families can:

• Talk openly and calmly with their child about their safety and well-being.
• Contact their child's pediatrician, mental health provider, school counselor, or another qualified professional.
• Ask directly about thoughts of suicide or self-harm when concerned.
• Increase supervision and reduce access to firearms, medications, and other potentially dangerous items.
• Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department in an immediate emergency.
• Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Additional Resources

• Virginia Code § 18.2-56.2: Child access to firearms
• Virginia Code § 54.1-3401: Definitions related to prescription drugs
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Firearm injury and youth mortality data
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Crisis and suicide-prevention support
• Virginia Department of Education: Parent & Caregiver Resources for Self-Harm, Suicide & Violence Prevention

Families are encouraged to regularly review how prescription medications and firearms are stored in their homes and take steps to prevent unauthorized access by children and teens.