I keep mine leaned up against the wall by my head board, depends on how well you trust your kids with firearms. It's always better to be safe than sorry. On a side note, I never leave a round chambered in my shotty, the sound of racking a 12 gauge is deterent enough most of the time.
And why not?
1-You are adding time to your reponse, seconds count.
2-You may flub up the racking under stress and trying to wake up.
3-You are giving away your location by the sound.
4-Most people have no idea what a racking shotgun sounds like.
5-Urban myth.