Home Safety for Families

Prince George County Public Schools is committed to supporting the safety and well-being of students in our schools and throughout the community. Families play an important role in this shared responsibility, and parents and guardians are encouraged to review the following safety information and practices for their homes.

As required by Va. Code § 22.1-79.3(F), PGCPS provides annual parental notification regarding the safe storage of prescription drugs and firearms, and resources available to families. The notification is shared to families via ParentSquare, and served in their preferred language by email and in-app content.

A copy of the division’s notification in English and Spanish is available at the bottom of this page.

Safely Storing Prescription Drugs in Your Home

Many families rely on prescription medications to support the health and well-being of household members. To help keep children and teenagers safe, parents and guardians are encouraged to store all prescription medications in a secure, out-of-reach location. Medications should remain in their original containers, be stored according to label instructions, and be monitored regularly to ensure they are used only as prescribed.

Safely securing and managing prescription drugs can help prevent accidental ingestion, misuse, and other potential safety concerns while promoting a healthy home environment.

Keeping Firearms Out of the Reach of Children

Parents and guardians play an important role in helping prevent unauthorized access to firearms in the home. Firearms should be stored securely and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Safe storage practices may include keeping firearms unloaded, secured with a locking device, and stored separately from ammunition in a location inaccessible to children and other unauthorized individuals. Families should also discuss firearm safety with household members and regularly review their storage practices.

Virginia law requires individuals who possess a firearm in a home where a child or a person prohibited from possessing a firearm is present to store that firearm securely. Generally, this means keeping the firearm in a locked container, cabinet, or compartment that is inaccessible to unauthorized individuals, or securing it with an appropriate gun-locking device that prevents it from being fired. Firearms may be stored loaded if they are kept in a secure storage device protected by a combination, code, or biometric lock, and unauthorized individuals do not have access to that lock. Families are encouraged to review the full requirements of Virginia Code § 18.2-308.7 and ensure firearms in the home are stored safely and in compliance with state law.

The Importance of Safe Firearm Storage

Safe firearm storage is one of several steps families can take to help protect children and promote a safe home environment. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), firearm-related injuries continue to affect children and adolescents across the United States. Recent CDC data indicate that firearm injuries were the leading cause of death among children and teens ages 1-19. In 2022, more than 2,500 children and teens died in firearm-related incidents, an average of approximately seven young people each day, according to Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Gun Violence Solutions.

These statistics highlight the role that safe firearm handling and storage practices can play in helping prevent unauthorized access and reducing the risk of injury. Parents and guardians who choose to keep firearms in the home are encouraged to familiarize themselves with applicable laws and safety recommendations and take appropriate measures to ensure firearms remain inaccessible to children and other unauthorized individuals.

Support and Resources

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

• Talking openly and calmly with your child about their safety and well-being.
• Contacting your child’s pediatrician, mental-health provider, school counselor, or another qualified professional.
• Asking directly about thoughts of suicide or self-harm when you are concerned.
• Temporarily increasing supervision and reducing access to firearms, medications, and other potentially dangerous items. 
• In an immediate emergency, calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency department.
• Using a nationally recognized crisis-support resource, such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, when appropriate.

Additional information and resources are available through the Centers for Disease Control and other nationally recognized public-health and mental-health organizations.

Additional Resources Available Families

• CareSolace is a free and confidential service available 24/7/365 to the PGCPS community. With a network of more than 560,000 providers, Care Solace helps connect families with trusted professionals who accept all major insurance plans, including Medicaid, Medicare, and affordable options for those without coverage.
• Our school-based mental health team works collaboratively with our schools, families and community to offer services, resources and assistance. They also compile resources available locally and beyond Prince George County on their website.
• The Virginia Department of Education’s webpage on Parent & Caregiver Resources for SelfHarm, Suicide, & Violence Prevention.