Safe Home Tips & Resources

Protecting your family involves more than keeping them safe from an accident or attack. It also involves being aware of the warning signs of substance abuse and suicide; you cannot remove all risk from your home, but you can make it safer. Download the “Steps Towards a Safer Home” card to the left and check out the resources below to learn more.

If someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts

If you are concerned that a member of your household is struggling with suicidal thoughts, there are steps you can take to keep them safe. 

Speak up if you are worried:

Ways to start a conversation about suicide:
“I have been feeling concerned about you lately.”
“Recently, I have noticed some differences in you and wondered how you are doing.”
“I wanted to check in with you because you haven’t seemed yourself lately.”

Questions you can ask:

“When other people have had similar feelings, they have thought about wanting to die? Do you have any similar thoughts?”
“Have you had any thoughts of killing yourself?”
“When did you begin feeling like this?”
“Did something happen to make you start feeling this way?”
“How can I best support you right now?”
“Have you thought about getting help?” 

What you can say that helps or provides hope:

“You are not alone in this. I am here for you.”
“I may not be able to understand exactly how you feel, but I care about you and want to help.” 

Call the Stark County Crisis Line at 330-452-6000 for support.

They are accessible around the clock. It’s important to get professional help. Click here for more information on suicide prevention, how to have the conversation, or to get involved.

Reduce easy access to dangerous substances at home. 

This includes firearms, medications, alcohol, and sharps.

Alcohol 

Did you know that over 40% of 7th-12th graders in Stark County have used alcohol in their lifetime and over 12% reported using in the past 30 days? 

Cleaners/Chemicals 

Did you know that inhaling gases or fumes from everyday products to get high can cause permanent brain damage? 

  • Lock up toxic household cleaning products, pesticides, solvents, and other potential poisons. 
  • Symptoms of inhalant use may include: slurred speech, dazed appearance, unusual odor, red eyes, runny nose, and/or paint stains on body or face 

Firearms 

Did you know that firearms accounted for more than 52% of all suicide deaths in Stark County from 2015-2019? That’s 186 deaths in that time frame. 

  • Safe storage of firearms is employing precautions and multiple safeguards that provide an additional barrier against unauthorized use. 
  • Treat every firearm as if it were loaded. 
  • Keep firearms unloaded when not in use. 
  • Store ammunition separately. 
  • Use cable or trigger locks. Cable locks can be obtained for free at the Stark County Sheriff’s Office. You can also search here or check with your local police station.  
  • Temporarily storing all guns away from the home is the most effective method if someone in your home is struggling with suicide risk. Asking a friend or relative to hold on to them is often the easiest way to accomplish this.
    • Other offsite storage options may include gun shops, firing ranges, self-storage units, pawn shops or police departments. These may involve fees or background checks.
    • In-home locking is not as safe. Kids often know where guns are stored and how to access them, even when adults think they don’t.
    • If removing firearms from the home is not possible, take steps to increase time and distance.
    • “Triple Safe Locking” at home is the next safest option: unload all firearms, lock them in a gun safe, lock ammunition separately or don’t keep ammunition at home. Trigger or cable locks can be added.
    • Change combinations or key locations.
    • Remove a key component of the firearms (i.e. the firing pin).
    • If the gun owner is the one at risk, lock all guns and give the key(s) to someone else. 

Medications 

Did you know that 90% of those struggling with addiction as an adult began using alcohol or other drugs before age 18? 

  • Medications are by far the most common method of nonfatal suicide attempts for all ages and both sexes.  
  • Follow the 5-point strategy to prevent prescription drug misuse.
    1. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Ask about side effects, interactions, and alternatives.
    2.     Use medications only as directed. Follow dosing instructions and never mix with alcohol.
    3.     Never share your medications or use someone else’s prescription medication. Prescription doesn’t mean it’s safe for everyone.
    4.     Securely store your medications in a lockable place. Store medication in its original container and keep an updated list of all prescriptions in your home.
    5.     Dispose of medications properly. Use a drug drop box, an at-home disposal bag, or take advantage of local drug take back days.  
  • Prevention starts with an honest conversation. Find talking points and resources for all ages »

Sharps 

  • Sharps or sharp objects can be found throughout the home and include, but are not limited to, knives, razors, and pencil sharpeners.
  • Frequently used for emotional regulation.
  • Reducing access to sharps – especially in private spaces – is recommended to prevent non-suicidal self-harm as well as when sharps may be method of choice for those who are at risk of suicide.
  • Sharps can be stored securely in a lock box. At the very least, they should be kept hidden and out of reach when a person is struggling with suicidal thoughts. Lock boxes can be purchased online or locally at big-box stores.

Provide Support/Seek Help 

Being aware of any mood or behavioral changes, such as agitation, emotional withdrawal, expressions of hopelessness, and/or increased use of alcohol or drugs can help clue in that something maybe wrong. If you notice changes, it’s important to take action by asking if they are thinking about suicide. Asking about suicide will not plant the idea in someone’s mind and instead can decrease anxiety. If you don’t feel comfortable asking the question, or aren’t sure what to say, you can call The Stark County Crisis Hotline 330-452-6000 for help and support. 

Parent Resources

All families, regardless of socioeconomic, race and other factors, can be affected by drug and alcohol abuse. Parents and caregivers are especially important in setting boundaries and expectations for their teens. In fact, parents are the number one reason youth choose not to use substances.  

Know your child: Advice by age (Grades K-12) Tips to help you help your child live a healthy, drug-free life. Read more about parent tips for every age » 

Talking with Family Effective prevention starts with an honest conversation. Talk with your loved ones about substance abuse today. Find more age-specific opiate talking points » 

Marijuana Find frequently asked questions about medical marijuana in Ohio » as well as marijuana facts » 

Opiate Prevention Toolkit Designed for students, educators and for parents, the Mental Health Recovery Board partners with the Stark County Anti-Drug Coalition and the Stark County Educational Service Center to make this online resource tool accessible to the public. Opiate Prevention Toolkit » 

Start Talking! Former Governor John R. Kasich and First Lady Karen W. Kasich launched the Start Talking! initiative to give parents, guardians, educators and community leaders the tools to start the conversation with Ohio’s youth about the importance of living healthy, drug-free lives. Read more about StartTalking.gov » 

Find Help Mental health and addiction disorders can affect people of any age, race, religion or income. More than a matter of will power, scientific advances show these brain diseases are treatable and people can resume productive lives. Find help in Stark County » 

Warning Signs for Suicide   
  • Talking about suicide – Any talk about suicide, dying, or self-harm, such as “I wish I hadn’t been born,” “If I see you again…” or “I’d be better off dead.” 
  • Seeking out lethal means – Seeking access to guns, pills, knives, or other objects that could be used in a suicide attempt. 
  • Preoccupation with death – Unusual focus on death, dying, or violence. Writing poems or stories about death. 
  • No hope for the future – Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and being trapped (“There’s no way out”). Belief that things will never get better or change. 
  • Self-loathing, self-hatred – Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, shame, and self-hatred. Feeling like a burden (“Everyone would be better off without me”). 
  • Giving away belongings/Getting affairs in order – Making out a will. Giving away prized possessions. Making arrangements for family members. 
  • Saying goodbye – Unusual or unexpected visits or calls to family and friends. Saying goodbye to people as if they won’t be seen again. 
  • Withdrawing from others – Withdrawing from friends and family. Increasing social isolation. Desire to be left alone. 
  • Self-destructive behavior – Increased alcohol or drug use, reckless driving, unsafe sex. Taking unnecessary risks as if they have a “death wish.” 
  • Sudden sense of calm – A sudden sense of calm and happiness after being extremely depressed can mean that the person has made a decision to attempt suicide. 
Warning Signs for Substance Abuse

How can you tell if your child is using drugs or alcohol?  It is challenging because the changes in mood or attitudes, random temper outbursts, changes in sleeping habits and changes in hobbies and other interests are common in teens. What should you look for? Read more about Warning Signs and Symptoms »

If someone you know is showing signs of substance abuse, find help »