The Question That Could Save Your Child's Life

This Sunday, June 21st, isn't just Father's Day. It's National Ask Day -- a day to pledge to always ask a question that could save your child's life:

Is there an unlocked gun where my child plays?

Here are a few scary facts:

• 1 in 3 homes with children have guns, many left unlocked and loaded
• 3 in 4 kids ages 5-14 know where firearms are stored in the home
• 80 percent of unintentional firearm deaths of kids happen in a home

This isn't about gun rights. This is about simple safety.

When your child goes to play at someone's house, you should ask, "Is there a gun at your house?"

If the answer is yes, ask how it is stored. To be most safe, the gun should be locked up, unloaded, with the ammunition locked separately. If that's how the family stores their guns, you're good. If it's not, well, maybe it might be better to play elsewhere.

Kids are unpredictable - -and don't always make the safest decisions. There's nothing we can do to change that -- but we can help to make the places they play safe for them.

I get that it could feel a little bit awkward. But hey, as this video below points out, parenthood is full of awkward moments. Saving a life seems worth managing an awkward moment.

So if you don't ask already, celebrate Father's Day by pledging to ask. Always.