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Page 8 September 28, 2017 TORRANCE TRIBUNE
Three Steps to a More Secure Home
(BPT) - More than 75 percent of Americans
are concerned about the security of their
home, yet few think about door hardware
when it comes to added protection.
In fact, out of those who have ever purchased
a new lockset or deadbolt, only 19 percent
have done so with the safety of their
home in mind, according to a Harris
Poll conducted on behalf of the
Builders Hardware Manufacturers
Association (BHMA). However,
when it comes to protecting your
home, the right lockset or deadbolt
can provide the best first line of
defense.
When purchasing new locks,
it isn’t simply “one size fits
all.” Choosing the right lock or
deadbolt for your specific needs
can sometimes seem overwhelming.
Two in five Americans polled don’t
even know what factors to look for
when purchasing one.
While many of today’s locks
deliver improved security for your
home, be sure to follow these easy
steps to ensure you’re properly
selecting and installing the product
that best suits your needs.
1. Look for the BHMA
Certified Secure Home
Label
The hardware industry has strict
standards when it comes to the
quality of locks and deadbolts, and
BHMA is the only organization
accredited by the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) to develop and maintain
these standards. Each lock or deadbolt that
features the BHMA Certified Secure Home
label on its packaging has been tested to these
stringent standards - the highest performance
standards for residential hardware. The label
also indicates that the product has been certified
in three different areas: security, durability
and finish. Products without the Secure Home
label are not assured to have been tested and
certified by a third-party laboratory.
2. Check the Ratings
Combination
Once a lock or deadbolt is tested to ANSI/
BHMA standards for security, durability
and finish, it is given a rating of Good (C),
Better (B) or Best (A) in each area based on
its performance during testing. The rating
system is defined by progressive levels of
performance requirements. Be sure to select
the lock or deadbolt that is rated highly in the
area(s) most important to you. For example,
when looking for a new interior lock, you
may not require the same rating
for security or finish as you would
for a lock being installed on your
front door.
3. Follow the
Manufacturer’s
Instructions
After purchasing the lock(s)
best suited for your home needs,
consult the installation instructions
provided by the manufacturer for
proper application. A BHMA
Certified lock - or any lock, for
that matter - cannot function to
its expectations if it isn’t installed
correctly.
The added protection that locks
and deadbolts can provide you and
your family is not something to be
overlooked. By fitting your doors
- both interior and exterior - with
certified hardware, using proper
installation techniques and being
diligent about using your locks
when at home or away, you can
greatly reduce the likelihood of
unwanted company.
To learn more about BHMA
Certified locksets and deadbolts,
or the BHMA Certified Secure
Home label, watch this short video or visit
www.securehome.org. •
Lynn O♥Neil Real Estate
(310) 261-0798
Assoc Broker 31 years/Manager
TOP PRODUCER BEACH CITY BROKERS
715 Virginia Street
• Spacious 5 Bed, 31/2 Bath • Approx. 3000 sq. ft.
• Beautiful Wood Floors, High Ceilings, French Doors
• Formal Dining Room, Family Room, Living Room w/Fireplace
• Decks for Entertaining • Large Grassy Yard • BBQ Area
• Bonus Room off garage with 1/2 bath • Close to Schools, Park & Beach
$1,799,000
LYNNONEIL@GMAIL.COM #♥00 88 008 0 WWW.LYNNONEIL.COM