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Posts Tagged ‘Locksmith & Security Systems<’

How to Replace a Euro Cylinder Lock RSS

Posted in Locksmith on Aug 20

Euro cylinder locks are the locks most commonly used on uPVC windows and doors which you push flat with your thumb to lock and open (either from the inside or externally) with a key. You will find them most frequently in conservatories or on internal office doors, and although mostly reliable and secure, you may need to change a euro cylinder lock should you have lost one set of keys or moved to a new house or office.

Replacement euro cylinder locks can be purchased from a local locksmith in London at reasonable cost and can be fitted quite easily. Things to remember when purchasing your new euro cylinder lock is that it has at least the same security grade as the one that you are replacing (Grade 2 for internal, grade 3 for medium security, grade 4 for high security) and that you get your local locksmith in London to cut an additional set of keys. If you are in any doubt about the instructions below and do not wish to compromise your future security, it is better to find a locksmith in London who will visit and fix your new locks for you.

To remove the old lock

Unlock and open the door or window

Locate and remove the cylinder fixing screw. This is normally a screw on the edge of the frame with a broad head which lies in line with the lower end of the cylinder.

Turn the key in the cylinder to bring the cam in line with the cylinder so you can pull it out. This has to be done by feel, but the normal angle of the turn is around 30 degrees – or to one o´clock. If the cylinder catches rather than comes out easily, turn the key in the other direction, so you have now got it at eleven o´clock and try again.

If it still fails to come out, it could be because the cylinder has been trapped by handles or other door furniture, and these may need a little loosening to free the cylinder.

To install the new lock

To install the replacement lock, follow the above process in reverse.

Slide in the new cylinder at the same angle as you removed the old one.

Turn the key or knob to the upright position.

Replace the cylinder fixing screw and you are back to being 100% protected again.

As mentioned above, if you are in any doubts about your confidence of replacing the euro cylinder lock securely (or get half way through and then start having doubts), please use the services of a local locksmith in London. They will be happy to give you a locksmith quote without any obligation and few pounds spent guaranteeing your safety may be far better than the consequences.

To find a locksmith in London, please refer to the Tradesmen´s Directory, or you can use the “Post-a-Job” facility at the top of each page to bring your requirements to their attention.

Tags: conservatories, cylinder, doors and windows, Euro cylinder Lock, find a locksmith in London, locks, locksmith, Locksmith & Security Systems, security, uPVC windows
Posted in Locksmith | 2 Comments »

 

TSA Locks for Luggage Security RSS

Posted in Locksmith on Aug 20

If you are a regular air traveller, one of the issues that often causes problems at the airport is the security of your luggage. Whereas a selection of suitable, secure luggage locks is available from your local locksmiths in London, due to increased anti-terrorist precautions at airports, baggage screeners have the permission to open your suitcase if they wish to inspect your luggage. This sometimes requires that locks are cut from your luggage, effectively leaving your possessions unsecure for the rest of your journey.

As this has become a very big problem in the States – due to the high volume of air travellers – the Transportation Security Administration (TSA – part of the Department of Homeland Security) has allowed the introduction of dual-lock security systems on passengers´ luggage which can be accessed by baggage screeners and then re-locked for the safety of passengers´ belongings. These locks carry the TSA symbol – reminiscent of an Olympic torch – and are recognised by baggage screeners who can open the lock with a special security key, inspect and re-lock the luggage. Thus your locked bag and belongings arrive safe and secure.

The TSA-approved locks come in a variety of shapes and designs, from left to right below-

Traditional padlock style

TSA-approved baggage strap

Union Jack combination lock

Combination lock with cable fixing

All of these items and over 100 other designs are available from your local locksmith in London. If you would like to find a locksmith in London stocking TSA-approved locks, quickly put a request in the “Post-a-Job” section above and one of local locksmiths in London will get back in touch.

Tags: combination lock, keys, locks, locksmith, Locksmith & Security Systems, luggage, padlock, protection, secuity, Transportation Security Administration, TSA-approved locks
Posted in Locksmith | Comments Off

 

Alarms System Unveiled for Homeowners with Big Dogs RSS

Posted in Locksmith on Aug 20

Once upon a time, cat burglars had easy opportunities to take advantage of homes that contained pets, as burglar alarms with sensory devices were rarely used because any movement of the domestic animals would set the alarm off.  Then alarms were introduced that could allow for the midnight prowling of a small pampered pooch or had independent zones which enabled you to lock the dog/cat/guinea pig in one room and protect all the others. Still the problem remained that if you had a larger dog, particularly one that was meant to guard your property, you would not want to lock him away in a room and yet he could not move around without triggering the motion sensors.

Now, a “Big Dog” alarm system has been introduced by ESP. The system uses a combination of three contact detectors and two vibration detectors for doors and windows to cater for the movement dogs in excess of 50 pounds (23kg) and has the optional extra of glass break detectors for added security. The ESP wireless alarm system can be fully armed for when your property is empty, part armed for when parts of your property are being used or perimeter armed to protect the immediate external area around your property, outbuildings and valuables outside. As well as the usual internal alarm detectors our range of external weatherproof movement detectors can be set to any of the alarm arming modes

Other features that are included in the ESP Infinite Prime “Big Dog” system are Speech PSTN telephone dialler, remote arm/disarm using telephone, voice indication of alarm status, voice memo pad, no motion zone, a USB port for software upgrades and an attractive cool blue LCD display.

ESP Infinite Prime “Big Dog” alarm systems are available from locksmiths in London and are classed as BS-EN50131:2006 Grade 2 Class 2 professional alarm systems and therefore require professional installation.

If you would like to find out more about securing your house from unwanted intruders – whether you have a pet or not – contact one of the local locksmiths in London available through our Tradesmen´s Directory.

Tags: alarm detectors, Alarm Systems, doors and windows, locksmith, Locksmith & Security Systems, Motion Sensors, perimeter security, pets, PSTN telephone dialler, security
Posted in Locksmith | Comments Off

 

Using the “Post-a-Job” Facility Successfully RSS

Posted in Hiring Advice on Aug 06

Mr Skill is a well established web portal with a directory of skilled and highly rated tradesmen in London. These local tradesmen are experienced in most aspects of building, electrical, gas and decorating work and when you are looking to get a specific job done, the best way to get the right tradesman at the right price is to use the “Post-a-Job” facility available at the top of each page.

In order to use it to its best advantage, we have compiled a number of tips so that your specific job is seen by the right people.

Registration. There is no need to register before you “Post-a-Job” as the registration is integrated with the job posting and you will receive an e-mail with your log-in details for future reference. This is useful for the next time that you “Post-a-Job” on Mr Skill because it means that you will not have to enter your personal details again.

Job Title. Please be clear about the job you what doing. For example, the job description “Swimming Pool” does not distinguish between building a swimming pool, providing the plumbing and drainage for it, tiling the walls or just cleaning it. Although you have the opportunity to elaborate more about the job in the next section, a very well qualified and economic local tradesman might overlook your job posting because of its initial description. Please note this field requires a minimum of three words

Describe the Work that needs Doing. This section actually has the capacity for a small novel. The more you explain about the job you would like to be quoted for, the quicker a local tradesman capable of doing the job will get back to you and the more accurate their quote will be. For example, if your pool “needs cleaning”, does it just need the leaves skimming of the top with a pool net? Is the water looking murky, and you need a chemical specialist to visit and adjust the level of the Ph in the water? Are the filters completely jammed and consequently green mould is developing on the walls of your pool?

Other considerations in your job post should be the dimensions of the pool, if it is only accessible at certain times of the day (Ph treatment for example works better when the sun is not shining on the pool!) and if there are any other considerations that you feel our rated tradesmen should know about. You have the option of attaching up to four images to your job posting, so please use this opportunity to take photographs of your pool to assist our local tradesmen in giving you an accurate quote.

You may also want to use this section to include further details that cannot be included elsewhere. For example, if you are having a swimming pool built from scratch, you will need a project manager, builder, tiler, plumber, electrician (for the pumps and lights), possibly a garden landscaper and cleaner. The “Job Type” section does not allow you to choose multiple professions, so please account for that when describing the work that needs doing (and enter the “job type” as “General Builder”).

Please note this field requires a minimum of ten words.

Job Type. We have tried to make this as simple as possible and defined the categories as clearly as we can. We appreciate that there are many different fields in each trade, so if you cannot find one which exactly matches your job requirements, please select the closest and use the description field (above) to give more details.

Post Code. Please insert the post code of where you want the job done if different from your home address. For example, if you live in Barnet, but the job posting relates to a job you want performed in Harrow, it would be advantageous to insert the Harrow postcode to attract tradesmen local to that area.

Your Name. You need not insert your full name if you are unhappy to do so. We are all pretty friendly at Mr Skill, so just your first name will suffice.

Your E-Mail: It is important that you complete your e-mail address accurately as this is where your future log-in details are sent and how we will be in contact to inform you of any tradesmen´s quotes which are received.

Your Contact No. It is not important to enter a contact number at this stage because it will not be displayed on your job posting – initially all contact is done by email. However, it may speed things up when you have made contact with a local tradesman is he has access to a number straight away. If there are certain times at which it is inconvenient to talk, please note this in the job description section.

How do you know about Mr Skill? Please complete this part as it helps us with our marketing and enables us to attract the better rated tradesmen to our site as well. If none of the categories are suitable, please click “Other” and at least we know you enquiry was not generated from any of the other sources.

Before submitting your job, please review our “Member Agreement” (particularly section 7 regarding posting a job on Mr Skill) and our “Privacy Policy”. If you have any questions about either of these sections, please use our “Contact Us” link at the top of the page before clicking “Post Job Now”.

When the new page opens, you will see your job posted and a default period of 20 days available for local tradesmen to post their quote, which is then automatically emailed to you. If you want to extend the period beyond 20 days for receiving quotes, you can do so via your control panel (details of how to access this will be included in your welcome e-mail), and if you would prefer a shorter period, please mention this in the job description.

You will also see your name showing as “new-user XXXX”. You can change this to your name or other pseudonym through the user control panel. This window also displays any questions that have been asked by local tradesmen and any quotes that they have submitted.

Do not get anxious if you have not heard from a local tradesman within a day or two. Mr Skill features the highest rated tradesmen in London and their work diaries are often full. Thankfully, they are sufficiently responsible not to promise to do a job they know they cannot fit into their schedule. However, by following the above tips and posting your job carefully, you can be sure you will be receiving the fullest attention of the highest qualified tradesmen just as soon as they are available – and would you want your job attended to by somebody rated less than the best?

Go to Post-a-Job >>

Tags: Bath & Heating, Brick & Stone, Building, Carpentry, Cleaning Services, concrete, Decorating & Interior Design, description, Disposals & Waste Removal, Electrical Work, Extensions & Conservatories, Gardening & Landscaping, General Builders, Guttering & Drainage, Handyman Services, Kitchen Fitting, Locksmith & Security Systems, Moving Homes & Hauliers, Painting & Decorating, Planning & Consulting, Plastering & Drywall, Plumbing, Post a Job, registration, Roofing, Tiling & Flooring, Tradesmen´s Directory, user control panel, Window & Door Fitting
Posted in Hiring Advice | Comments Off

 
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