HCSO reminds you about importance of gun safety after two toddlers die of apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds in separate incidents 
(HOUSTON, TX) – The Harris County Sheriff’s Office reminds you the importance of keeping firearms out of the reach of children. This after two toddlers died in separate incidents in the past three days.
On Friday, February 27, 2015 a three year-old boy died after preliminary information shows he may have shot himself with a gun he found at a home in the 7400 block of Betanna Dr. On Sunday, March 1, 2015 a four year-old at a home in the 19800 block of Imperial Stone died under similar circumstances.
Both cases are under investigation.
Experts at the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences will ultimately determine the exact cause of death in both of these incidents.
If you are going to keep a firearm in your home it should ALWAYS be stored in a locked safe, gun vault, or storage case AND out of the reach of children. In addition to storing your firearm in a locked location, use gun locks for added safety.
Ammunition should also be stored in a locked location separate from the firearm.
Just as important is talking to your children about gun safety. Teach them the following rules:
• If you find a gun in your house, or anywhere else, STOP!
• Do not touch it or allow anyone else to.
• Leave the area where the gun is.
• Immediately tell an adult.
• Even if a gun looks like a toy, don't touch it. Some real guns look like toy guns, so don't take a chance. Leave the area and immediately tell an adult.
If you choose to keep a firearm for home security, please make it so the firearm is readily available to you, yet inaccessible or inoperative to others. Consider special lockable cases that can be quickly opened only by authorized individuals.
In Texas a person commits an offense if a child under 17 gains access to a readily dischargeable firearm and the person with criminal negligence failed to secure it or left it in a place to which the person knew or should have known the child would gain access.
Parents and adults, please be responsible when it comes to firearms. You can help prevent another senseless tragedy.
Address/Location
Harris County Sheriff's Office
1200 Baker St
Houston, TX 77002
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 713-221-6000
