Valparaiso, IN – As families across Indiana enter the holiday season, the Valparaiso Police Department is urging residents to double-check firearm safety at home, especially as children return from school break and more visitors enter households. Police say the increased activity this time of year makes secure storage critical.
According to the Valparaiso Police Department, firearm owners are encouraged to verify that any gun in the home is unloaded, locked, and kept out of the reach of children and guests. Officials noted that safe storage “saves lives,” emphasizing that even one preventable incident is too many during the busy holiday period.
To support the community, the department is offering free gun locks to any resident who needs one. Police said the locks are available at the department lobby with no questions asked. Residents can pick them up during normal business hours.
The department said its goal is to provide families throughout Valparaiso, Porter County, and the greater Northwest Indiana region with tools that help keep homes safe as gatherings increase through December. Officers stressed that firearm safety is a shared responsibility and encouraged residents to talk with loved ones about secure storage practices.
The message comes as police and safety organizations nationwide highlight rising risks during the holiday months when accidental firearm access by children tends to increase.
Police thanked the community for helping protect neighbors, friends, and family as the season gets underway.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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