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Why BS3261 is so important for home security

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Unless you are a locksmith or work in the uPVC industry, the chances are you've never heard of BS3261 certification. However, it's vital that any locks you buy for your home conform as a minimum to this standard, not only to ensure that you meet the needs of your insurance policy but also to ensure that your home is as secure as possible.

The BS3621 certification is controlled by the British Standards Institution (BSI). Over 120 years old, the BSI set out to ensure that services and products meet the expectations of quality, safety, and reliability and you will have no doubt seen the famous BSI kitemark logo on many products, including many household items such as plugs and fire alarms.

There are a number of criteria for a BS3621 certified lock including the lock having  minimum of 5 levers, the screws to the door being inaccessible when the door is shut, the lock covered by a metal plate to protect it from drilling, the bolt at the right length and the bolt being completely activated before the lock can be removed.

If you are not sure that your locks comply to this standard, then look out for the British Kite symbol. This is the easiest way to tell, although you can always come and see us for advice. Look out also for BS8621 and BS10621 which cover slightly different sorts of locks (one needs a key for entry only and not exit and the other only has a lock on one side). 

We have a range of locks which conform to British Safety Standards in store along with anti-snap locks, the most secure type of lock you can get on the market, so rather than risk your home security by buying online, why not pop in store and see what we have to offer.