What to do when you're locked out!

don't panic

We have all been there, whether you are locked out of your house, car, business, shed or even your student accommodation. Now, if you have left a key under a plant pot somewhere in your garden, or given a spare key to a next door neighbour, then you don't have to worry. However, most people don't plan for these occasions or don't trust the above tips, and are left, locked out; with no idea what to do!
If you are locked out of your car, there is an urban myth that goes like this.. If your neighbour, spouse, girlfriend etc has a key for your car, then first of all you can ring them. The next thing is to explain to them what has happened and get them to get the remote part of the key. Then they will need to put it up to the phone and push the button. This should carry the sound waves through the phones, and then unlock your car door.

If you locked out of somewhere other than your car, or do not have a spare key for your car, then the only other alternative, other than breaking in; is to ring a locksmith. You will find a number of locksmiths suited to your local area on Google. You just need to type something like locksmiths in Manchester. Of course you will need to change Manchester to your area. You should then find the locksmith that offers the best service, or the cheapest price, and find the number of the company and ring it. Check they are Members of the Master Locksmiths Association. Prices vary from £60 to £120, based on the time, and whether it is a weekend or not. If you require extra services, such as a lock replacement or PVC locking strip, it will cost substantially more.

Locksmiths in Manchester generally will come out within the hour, and aim to open the lock without the use of drills. Drills should be used only as a last resort, as drilling will damage lock, causing you to have to spend even more money replacing the lock. They generally prioritise their clients based age, whether you are alone, with children, and the time of day.

Getting locked out is not an enjoyable experience; the only real option is to call a locksmith. This does cost a lot, so to prevent it happening in the future ensure you have given spare keys to family members or friends, or have a spare key hidden somewhere.

Mila Evolution solid stainless handles upvc

We have recently found a beautiful new product for upgrading PVC doors against attack from burglaries in Manchester, Stockport, Macclesfield and Wilmslow
Evolution High Security Door Handle

Mila PAS24 polished stainless lever handles

The Evolution high security door handle, manufactured from cast stainless steel, features an integrated cylinder guard and innovative anti-plug & anti-drill disc.
Reversible for left or right hand doors, the stylish Evolution high security door handle is available in stainless steel and gold stainless steel. The lever has been ergonomically designed for optimum comfort and ease of operation, including for the elderly and infirm, when in use.
The Evolution high security door handle has been independently tested at the UKAS accredited Mila Test Centre and meets the performance requirements of PAS 024 and Secured By Design. An SBD logo engraved onto the backplate gives peace-of-mind whilst serving as a deterrent to would be intruders.
Protects against 4 common types of attack:
Handle Snapping
Cast steel design, and enhanced screw fixings, make it practically impossible to jemmy the handle backplate from the door leaf

Cylinder Snapping
An integrated cylinder guard forms a formidable barrier around the cylinder, protecting it from attack

Cylinder De-plugging
An integral anti-plug disc secures directly over the cylinder face, shielding it from attack

Cylinder Drilling
The innovative anti-drill disc spins if attacked with a drill, preventing the drill bit from penetrating the cylinder.
Evolution High Security Door Handle : PAS 024 Test Conditions
The Evolution high security door handle has been tested at the UKAS accredited Mila Test Centre to exceed the enhanced security requirements of PAS 024.
Anti-Drill & Anti-Disc & Integrated Cylinder Guard
An innovative anti-drill and anti-plug disc, captive within the handle backplate, shields the cylinder face from attack. A cylinder guard, integrated into the handle backplate, protects the cylinder from the threat of ‘snapping’.
Cusworth Master Locksmiths can survey your home and business and give independent free advice on any security in Manchester Stockport and Macclesfield

Locksmith Fail

Manchester locksmith

safe near miss

I got called to a faulty safe in Manchester On arrival, the key didn't go straight in, and felt very strange. on opening, the lock was just about to fall off, with 3 of the 4 screws completely out and the 4th only just in!

A quick service and it as good as new!

For safe servicing in Manchester contact us on 07792 517113 or service@cusworth.net

This is what you get if you call out a non MLA Manchester locksmith!

Emergency Locksmith in Manchester!

From outside you can see the size of the hole!

The door has lost all strength

The story goes, student locks herself out of room in Manchester Flat. This is probably what happened...

Landlord calls 1st big advert in Yellow Pages, and a man who had probably been on a 3 day locksmith course turns up to work his magic.

The so called Manchester Locksmith is faced with a 5 lever deadlock, he is immediately stumped. His course didn't cover lever locks, just picking a worn 3 pin cylinder and desk locks. He did have a lock opening guide bought for £200 which tells him the exact drilling point for many locks. but of course he does not know what lock is fitted!

He drills a hole, and mangles the levers.

He drills another hole, and makes things worse.

The lock is now totally jammed, and he is quite embarrassed ! (well, he should be!)

He resorts to smacking the lock out of the back of door.

Charges £180

And off he goes to the next job, with the words "that was a very high security lock, you will need to get a joiner to repair the door"

 

There has been a great deal of discussion over the perception of the locksmithing profession and much debate about what a national qualification will mean for practicing locksmiths on a day-to-day basis.

The announcement of the Master Locksmiths Association’s (MLA) ambitions to develop a nationally recognised locksmithing qualification and apprenticeship framework has led to much industry debate. Hoping to answer some of the questions raised, Dr Steffan George, development director for the MLA explains why the association believes a national qualification is a step in the right direction for the industry and why it feels locksmiths should support the Association’s ambition. Commenting on the development of a locksmithing national qualification Dr Steffan George said: “We have been working with the security sector skills body Skills for Security (SfS) for months now to spearhead the development of a nationally recognised qualification to help legitimise the locksmithing profession, raise standards and boost perception of locksmithing as a skilled trade. “I’m sure most locksmiths will have come across customers that have passed comment about paying a perfectly reasonable fee for a job they claim ‘didn’t look that difficult’. Although a lot of industries will come across this same issue it also indicates the misconception many of the public have of locksmithing with many perceiving the trade as more of a ‘job’ in oppose to the reality of it being a skilled profession. “In many instances customers do not understand the years of training and level of skill required to become a professional locksmith and take the services provided for granted. Although something might look ‘easy’ to them, in reality the thought and understanding behind the actions taken by a locksmith are not simple, and with every job individuals apply their expertise and use their knowledge to provide a valuable service. “It can be argued that customers sometimes don’t consider the fact that a locksmith has had to train and practice for years to build up their skill levels. Neither do they consider the fact they are constantly learning how to use new products and about complex regulations in order to provide them with the best possible advice and service. “The MLA feel a national qualification that recognises a minimum standard of achievement and is instantly recognisable to the public and fellow locksmiths will go a long way towards combating these misconceptions and raising the profile of the profession. “As the UK’s biggest locksmithing trade association we are constantly striving to ensure minimum levels of skill and ethics exist in the trade.
Sadly we’re increasingly seeing a number of training courses that promise would-be locksmiths a £60,000 salary after just two days training. Although we all know locksmithing can be a rewarding career it is by no means the “get rich quick” industry that some training providers seem to portray it as. “A national qualification will help combat this problem through a new regulation system whereby awarding bodies will require training bodies to meet minimum criteria such as adequate premises and hands on experience for trainers. This in turn should help raise standards and address the issue of people attending training courses and then shortly thereafter setting themselves up as trainers – a bugbear of many in the industry. “In addition, a national qualification is also expected to help employers gain a better understanding of the competency of staff they may be looking to employ so it not only helps with public perception but also within the industry itself. “In addition to supporting those established in their careers the development of a national qualification will lead to the creation of a formal apprenticeship framework which currently does not exist. This would enable employers to gain funding for training their apprentices (subject to certain criteria) and provide locksmiths with an excellent, solid introduction into the world of locksmithing. “We’ve all seen the headlines about the Government’s intentions to create more apprenticeships in the coming years. To add to this we have seen MLA members struggling to find new staff, wanting to be able to take on apprentices but not being able to currently do so. This not only reaffirms our belief that there is demand for such training but we feel this clearly shows that the locksmithing industry is proud to support young people wanting to enter into the profession. “As with all initiatives of this nature we are aware of some concerns regarding the national qualifications and believe it is important to address a few misconceptions out there about the project as early as possible. “Firstly, despite marketing claims by some providers, at the moment there are no nationally recognised qualifications available to locksmiths. Currently only tailored awards exist so this qualification will hold a unique position in the marketplace. “Secondly a nationally recognised qualification is just that – nationally recognised. It is not something that a group / association / training provider can hijack for themselves or for their exclusive benefit and although the MLA is funding the qualification it will be open to all locksmiths and we will not have sole delivery of it. “Any qualifications will also be optional, so it doesn’t mean that those who’ve been in the industry for a while will have to take the exam although they are of course welcome to do so. Developing a national qualification will go a long way towards helping the public understand the skills required to be a locksmith and it will highlight genuine industry desire for appropriate regulation, accountability and raising standards, which can only be a good thing. “We are delighted to have received some fantastic feedback from MLA members, non-members, manufacturers and stakeholders about the positive impact they feel a nationally recognised qualification will achieve and greatly appreciate all of the support we have received to date. “Whilst establishing a national qualification may be one small step, it is hopefully the start of something bigger for the industry at large. It won’t clear up all the issues faced overnight but we have to start somewhere and we believe this is the way to move forward. “In the same way that the National Occupational Standard was a stepping stone towards establishing a nationally recognised qualification, the qualification itself will be a stepping stone towards creating the apprenticeship framework, which in-turn will see this whole process move another step towards any potential future regulation of the industry – whether that be Government or industry led.”

Freeindex reviews for locksmiths service

View all of our reviews on the FreeIndex Locksmiths directory

Common locking faults

Door locks, like any other mechanism, can stop working properly at inopportune times. If you're having issues with a lock then this article could help you to solve the problem.

Key gets stuck or is hard to turn

If you're having difficulty operating the key in a lock then there are some simple steps that might free things up before calling out Cusworth Master Locksmiths.

Key is hard to turn

1. Check the key
   The first step is to make sure you're using the right key! If you need to lift the handle before locking, try pushing it down then lifting again.
2. Lubricate
   Lubricate the lock by spraying a little light oil into the cylinder.
3. Call a locksmith
   If these methods don't work it's a good idea to call a  Manchester locksmith. A stiff key could mean that your lock is in need of replacing.

Key is stuck

1. Pull
   Grip the key firmly and with your other hand push around the keyhole. If you can't get a good grip try using pliers, but remember to be gentle to avoid damaging the lock.
2. Call a locksmith
   If the key won't come out then you will need to call a professional locksmith to remove it without damaging your lock and door.

Key turns but doesn't work

If the key turns but doesn't lock or unlock the door then this usually means that an internal mechanism has failed. Call Cusworth Master Locksmiths on 01625 250275 to solve this problem.

Key won't go in lock

If you can't get your key in the lock then the first thing to check is that you're using the right key.

• Defrost the keyhole
  If it's very cold then the lock might be frozen. Gently heat the key and insert it gradually into the keyhole. Repeat heating and inserting until the ice has melted. Be careful as this method could result in a stuck or broken key.
• Lubricate
  Lubricate the lock by spraying a little graphite into the cylinder.
• Check the key
  If you have a new key it might have been badly cut. Many cobblers and heel bars and market stalls have badly set machines, bad choice of keyblanks and bad training. It is always best to to have keys cut by a member of the MLA (Master Locksmiths Association)

If none of these steps solve the problem then you may need to have a replacement key made or the lock replaced.

Door won't latch shut

If the door latch doesn't engage then it may be out of alignment with the strike plate (the bit on the door frame that the bolt goes into). Try the following:

• Tighten the screws on the door hinges.
• Try adjusting the strike plate by loosening its screws and shifting it slightly.
• Spray graphite into the latch to lubricate it.

Latch is stuck

If the door latch is stuck then there are several things that you can check:

• Check the door hinges
  Try lifting the door slightly to check that the hinge screws are tight. If the door is out of alignment then the latch will stick.
• Check the strike plate
  Check that the strike plate aligns with the latch and bolt. If not, try loosening the screws of the strike plate and adjusting the position slightly.
• Try lubricating the latch
  Spray some graphite into the latch to lubricate it.

how about this for a solution for a broken handle return spring seen in manchester?

http://manchester-locksmith.tumblr.com/post/11311600340/locksmith-manchester

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A dwarf burglar has defended his life of crime claiming that it is the only career open to a man his size.

Dwarf burglar- "crime is my only career option"

A dwarf burglar has defended his life of crime claiming that it is the only career open to a man his size.

Photo: NORTH NEWS & PICTURES

By Richard Alleyne

Lee Kildare, 22, who is 3ft 11in tall, confessed this week to burgling an empty house for scrap metal but said it was his only option because he struggled to get a normal job in a "tall man's world".

manchester locksmith

Kildare, 22, said: "I've been burgling houses for years. I choose to do it – no one forces me.

"In fact, it's what I have to do for money because I couldn't get a normal job. It's a tall man's world.

"I have shoplifted in the past and it is easy as no one would ever suspect me. I normally get away with it because of my height.

"Now I burgle derelict houses for metal so I can sell it on as scrap. I do it for extra money, to go with my incapacity benefit."

Kildare, who lives with his mother, was used by a gang to plunder empty houses for copper and other metal to sell to scrap yards.
He was arrested after a security guard saw his head poking out of a small hole in the front door of a house in Newcastle.
Magistrates heard Kildare was very drunk and his accomplice fled leaving him to take the rap.
"People come to me for help with burglaries because I'm small and can get through small holes.," he said.
"But they are not taking advantage of me. I'm well-known and well-liked and no one picks on me."
Kildare was born with an incurable condition called achondroplasia, caused by an abnormal gene, which affects about one in 20,000 children.
He was given a 12-month community order with supervision, and put on a three-month curfew between 8pm and 7am.
to protect yourself from this problem find a Manchester locksmith
 

Choosing a locksmith in Manchester

The choice of a locksmith in Manchester is an important step because you want to make sure that you choose a reputable company, which is also a genuine Manchester locksmith, and not a national call centre or agency. Although we trust Locksmiths to let us in and out of our homes, cars and businesses, as we have become locked out, it is for them to do so in order not to compromise the integrity of our property. At the same time, to choose a company with experience and good reputation is the best way to protect your safety and property in the future, so make sure you do your homework so you can choose the best locksmith service in Manchester.

Cusworth Master Locksmiths are a Manchester Locksmith Service who are licensed and screened By the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) and the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) when they are shown they can perform various tasks necessary to do the job. But not everyone who operates a locksmiths business in Manchester has this, so it is important to ask for and check references before hiring them.  There are many other associations which sound official, but merely require a subscription and no checks are carried out. There are no legal requirements for running an advertising a locksmiths business in the UK and there are a growing number of people who do a 3 day course in locksmithing by a “get rich quick” training academy – giving the would be locksmith a certificate and an over inflated idea that they have the skills and the knowledge to go into someone’s home and make decisions regarding the safety and security of a family. 

It is quite possible many Locksmiths could have criminal records, unless the correct checks are made, again the best way to protect yourself is on the MLA website, listing all licensed locksmiths in Manchester and Cheshire

In many cases, you may already know someone who has used the services of a Locksmith, and may be the best source of information and recommendations, but it is still important to check the information online.

Online sites and reviews are a great way to determine the level of service you would expect from Manchester locksmiths. In addition, more a company is operating may be a testament to their success and confidence that people have with them. You cannot trust anyone with the keys to your house, and other customers feel the same way that a company with a bad reputation will not be able to stay in business for very long, and will regularly change their name. Check that the company you are considering is insured is another very important thing you should ask before choosing someone.

If you find the best locksmith service Manchester, all these issues are very important and can make a huge difference between great service and a bad transaction. For much of the research undertaken to work with, you may end up choosing a company that you can work with for many years to come without having to worry about the safety of your home or car. Don’t Forget to put you preferred Manchester Locksmith’s phone number in your mobile phone, and recommend them to friends and family.

Chocolate bars to get security tage following rise in shoplifting