If you own firearms, you owe it to yourself and those around you to keep them secured at all times. It's not enough to simply keep them up and away, such as in a closet or drawer. When firearms are left in closets and drawers, they're easily accessible to anyone who may be in your home, including children. Here are four steps you need to take to ensure that your firearms are secure.

Use Trigger Locks

When you own firearms, you need to use trigger locks. Trigger locks stop your firearms from being loaded or fired while the lock is in place. Many gun manufacturers include trigger locks with the purchase of their firearms. However, if you purchase a firearm that doesn't come with one, they can be purchased individually from your gun dealer or sporting goods store. Trigger locks can be used on handguns and rifles.

Invest in a Good Gun Safe

If you don't have a gun safe yet, you need to purchase one—whether you have one firearm or several. A gun safe ensures that your firearms don't fall into the wrong hands. In addition to protecting against theft or accidental discharge of your firearms, gun safes also protect your firearms against natural disasters, such as fires.

Install an Alarm on Your Gun Safe

Once you have your gun safe, you need to take steps to ensure that it's as secure as possible. One way to do that is to install a door alarm on it. With a door alarm, the alert will sound each time gun safe is opened. You may forget to lock the safe once, but it will still be secure when you have an alarm installed.

Store Your Ammo Separately

You may think that it's safe to store your firearms and your ammo in the same location, but it's not. Unfortunately, storing your firearms and ammo together can lead to devastating consequences. If you have everything stored together, and someone gains access to your safe, they now have your firearms and the ammo to use. However, if you store your firearms and ammo in separate locations, someone may gain access to one but not the other. This is particularly important when safeguarding your home against intruders or if you have small children in the house.

Don't take chances with your firearms or the ammo. The tips provided here will provide safety and security for your firearms, ammo, your family and your guests. For additional tips, contact a firearm or ammo retailer, such as Wilcox Bait & Tackle.