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It’s been a rough couple years. I first moved into my loft about six years ago, and I knew that urban areas weren't going to be as safe and secure as other places to live. That’s why it is important to have BHMA® Certified Secure Home™ locks and deadbolts protecting your home. This label is more than just words printed on the lock claiming to protect your home - it is an indication that the builder and property manager have chosen a quality product instead of leaving your security as a secondary concern.

Instances in my neighborhood over the past two years have made security a top-of-mind concern. While ‎there are security cameras and a guard to monitor our building, the locks on our doors are quite literally ‎the last line of defense for our home.

bhma lable

The BHMA Certified Secure Home label indicates that a lock has been rigorously tested for security, durability, and finish. This means that it has been tested to withstand impact as well as durability measures to stand up to rigorous and repeated use. Additionally, it has been tested for how well it will withstand environmental concerns such as rain or ice.

The Good (C), Better (B), Best (A) rating system allows homeowners, as well as builders, to see how well each lock has performed in those categories so that you can choose the right one for your property.

While any manufacturer can say they are providing a “high quality” lock, this is a certification backed by the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association, an independent third-party organization accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Their role is to ensure that materials used in construction meet standards and safety regulations. While all of the materials used to construct your home are important - locks and deadbolts are especially so.

While apartment dwellers are limited by their ability to replace locks in many cases (here in California we are legally allowed to, though many landlords write their leases to prevent that), homeowners can and should absolutely replace their locks when they buy a new home. Also, locks should be replaced after incidents where you want to increase your security, such as after divorce, separations, or roommates moving out.

more secure home

When you tour a new property, I would strongly encourage you to investigate what locks are being used and ask the landlord if you can change them to be more secure. For owners who are looking to improve their home security by upgrading their locks, make sure to look for the BHMA Certified Secure Home label when making purchases. Visit securehome.org to learn more.