The Locksmith Journal Nov-Dec 2016 - Issue 47 | Page 22

22 • A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A LOCKSMITH ...

Interview With A Locksmith

To celebrate Home Security Month in October , the Master Locksmith Association has been quizzing its locksmith members on their top tips for home security , the ups and downs of their job and the weirdest situations locksmithing has gotten them into .
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THE LATEST INTERVIEW IS WITH Bill McFadyen of Lockmaster1 in Greenwich . After trying everything from cabinet-making to carpentry , Bill stumbled across the Master Locksmith Association and discovered locksmithing was where he wanted to focus his attention . Here , Bill tells all about the security mistakes homeowners make all too often , and the best and worst parts of his job .
1 . WHAT ’ S THE BIGGEST SECURITY MISTAKE YOU FIND HOMEOWNERS MAKE ?
Those with a composite or PVCu door tend to close the door and think that it ’ s completely locked , what they don ’ t understand is that the correct way is to lift the handle up fully and turn the key .
2 . ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMON MISTAKES ?
Neglecting security measures on sheds and outbuildings , leaving ladders unchained ( allowing burglars to use them as access to the upper floors of the building ), not having locking security measures on the first floor bedroom windows , installing cheap locks and leaving the security alarm unarmed just in case it goes off while on holiday thus annoying the neighbours .
3 . WHAT DO BURGLARS LOOK OUT FOR ?
Unanswered mail gives burglars a heads up that you ’ re on holiday – letting everybody know on social media while they are on holiday is even worse ! Leaving keys under the porch carpet or in a pot are obvious places for burglar to look and leaving valuables on display .
4 . WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BECOME A LOCKSMITH ?
In the past I have been a carpenter , cabinetmaker and a bit of a MacGyver . I ’ ve always liked playing about and picking as a hobby , but about 10 years ago I was a contracts manager in a window manufacturing company and I was made redundant so I decided to give locksmithing a go . When I got involved with the Master Locksmiths Association I discovered that this is an industry that I find fascinating . I wouldn ’ t say it was easy at the beginning – there are quite a few three to five day courses out there where they say you can become a locksmith instantly – believe me this is not the case .
5 . WHAT ARE THE BEST AND WORST PARTS OF THE JOB ?
The best part of the job is the fact that it ’ s never the same from one day to the next . You are always meeting different people from all walks of life . One day you could be working in a mansion , the next day you can be working in public toilets , you just never know . Also , where else could you get paid to do your hobby ? As I have improved over the years , I ’ ve been able to help other locksmiths enhance their skills , which is another highlight . The only negative part of the job would be the unsociable hours and the fact that you are never off duty , even when you ’ re on holiday .
6 . WHAT WOULD YOUR ONE TOP TIP FOR HOME SECURITY BE ?
Go outside your house and question how you would enter your premises if you were locked out . It is surprising the amount of surveys I do with homeowners where I ask them to do the same things and they realise themselves where their security is really lacking .
ABOUT LOCKMASTER1 Lockmaster1 is a Master Locksmith Approved Company that offers a quality , comprehensive and efficient 24-hour emergency locksmith service covering Blackheath and Greenwich and the surrounding areas , providing a complete domestic and commercial locksmith and security service for homes and businesses .
“ We are a family-run business endorsed by the Master Locksmiths Association ( MLA ), helping secure your home and business and recommended by Yale in Yale Trusted Faces 2014 ,” says Bill .
Why should you join the Master Locksmiths Association ?
As well as the significant promotion that is on offer to Approved Company members through the highly ranking “ Find a Locksmith ” website and the MLA Handbook , which gets distributed to insurers , police , government departments , consumer organisations etc ., there are various other benefits that all members can enjoy .
www . locksmiths . co . uk / category / locksmith-blog / www . lockmaster1 . co . uk
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL . CO . UK | NOV / DEC 2016