LOS ANGELES -- Firearms are a leading injury method for US children and adolescents, and about one half of unintentional firearm injury deaths among children and adolescents occurred at their home, according to a new report of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Unintentional injury is a leading cause of death among US children and adolescents aged under 17 years, according to the report released on Thursday.

Firearms used in unintentional injury deaths were often stored both loaded and unlocked and were commonly accessed from nightstands and other sleeping areas, according to the report.

Unintentional firearm injury deaths are preventable, said the report.

Securing firearms is protective against unintentional firearm injury deaths among children and adolescents, which underscores the importance of promoting secure firearm storage, said the report.