That dreaded feeling of being locked out of your home is not something you want to experience too often. Unfortunately, it happens and always when you least expect it.
A lockout is inconvenient and frustrating, but it’s certainly not the end of the world.
There are several ways that you can get inside your home when you’re locked out, so save these tips.
How to Get Back Inside Your Home When You’re Locked Out
Step 1: Consider Spare Keys
Before you go any further, take a moment to consider who might have a spare key. This could be a partner, roommate or even a family member. Getting hold of your spare key should be the first step you take when you are locked out. If you are renting, contact your landlord or the building manager to find out whether they can assist.
Step 2: Look for Unlocked Doors
You might think that all your doors and windows are locked, but you might also get lucky and find one that’s open. Check all the potential entrances to your home before you consider any other measures. Just be careful if you are entering through a window.
Step 3: Remove the Doorknob
Have access to a toolbox? You could remove your doorknob to get back inside your home if you’re locked out. There are a few videos that will show you how to do this but keep in mind that you could end up damaging the lock. The result is further costs and inconvenience, so think twice.
Step 4: Contact a Locksmith
If you don’t have access to a spare key, this is going to be the quickest and most convenient way to get back into your home. Most locksmiths are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so there will be someone to assist you, including the Security and Lock Corporation Miami. A locksmith can reach you in less than 15 minutes and get you inside again just as quickly. Just be aware that you will pay extra if you contact an emergency locksmith.
Step 5: Improvise
If you don’t have access to a toolbox and you can’t get hold of a locksmith, you could try improvising with tools such as cards, paper clips, or bobby pins. You could bend the pins to create a makeshift lock picking set. However, this will only work if you understand how a lock works on the inside. If you have a hard card, you could insert it between the frame and the door to try and wiggle the latch open.
Avoiding Home Lockouts
Once you’ve been locked out of your home, do everything you can to make sure it doesn’t happen again, starting with spare keys. Have at least two sets of spare keys available. One that you can leave in your vehicle (if it’s parked in a secure space) and one that you can leave with a trusted person. You can also purchase a discreet key holder that you can hide in plain sight in your garden.
The other option is to go keyless. This way, you can lock and unlock your door directly from your smartphone and never have to worry about losing a key again.
