Local gun owners who want to keep their firearms secure — especially from children — can get free gun locks from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the office reminded residents this week on social media. The locks are provided by Project ChildSafe.

Residents can obtain locks by going to the sheriff’s window inside the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center, 111 E 11th St., during regular business hours.

The locks — steel cables secured with a padlock and key — can be used to secure most firearms, Sgt. Kristen Channel said. They’re just one way to practice gun safety in the home.

“Help keep your household safe by storing guns in your homes so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons, especially children,” the sheriff’s office said in its Facebook post. “Make sure guns are kept secured whether it’s in a gun safe, a lock box or by using a gun lock.”