What to do if You Lock Yourself Out of Your House

If you haven’t done it yet, the chances are good you’ll do it sometime in your life. Locking yourself out of your own house is one of the most frustrating situations you’ll ever find yourself in. It’s all right there—your comfy couch, a fridge full of food, and a clean private bathroom just waiting for you. You might need to call a 24 hour locksmith to get to it all. But before you do, keep a few other ideas in mind.

When a 24 Hour Locksmith Becomes your Best Friend

The first rule of locking yourself out of the house is don’t panic about locking yourself out of the house. But seriously, stay calm. Everything is going to be alright. There is a solution to this problem, in fact, there may be more than one.

Try Alternate Access Points

Take a walk around the house and assess the situation. Is there an unlocked window you can access safely, or did you by any chance leave the backdoor open? If you do decide to try entering through a window, follow these safety tips:

  • Go tell a neighbor or call a friend about the situation. Let someone know what you’re doing in case you get injured trying to get in. It’s also helpful to alert neighbors so they don’t think a burglar is entering your home and call the police.
  • Don’t even think about climbing into second-story windows. Scaling a tall ladder to shimmy into a window is a recipe for disaster. There are other alternatives, don’t risk life or limb.

Look Again

A sense of panic sets in when we think we’ve lost something as important as a house key. And with panic comes bad judgment. Go through your belongings one more time. Visualize the last time you used the key. Maybe you put it in an unusual place for some reason. Check your coat pockets, every compartment in your purse, and under the car seats. You might get lucky. 

Call Everyone

Has a friend or family member got a key to your home? You may not remember specifically giving someone a key for emergencies, but perhaps someone came to water your plants last summer and forgot to give the key back. Making a few phone calls could solve the problem easily.

Pick That Lock

Okay, don’t actually stick anything into the lock, but you can try sliding your largest most flexible credit card between the door frame and the door. Pro tip: If this works, you need to have a more secure lock installed ASAP. If you have hand tools available, you might also try removing the doorknob or taking the door off the hinges.

Call a 24 Hour Locksmith

Reliable locksmiths like the pros at 4 Got Keys of Wilmington are waiting for your call. It takes only minutes for a trained locksmith to let you into your house. Can’t you hear the bathroom calling? If you feel certain your key is really truly lost, you can have the smith install a new lock on the spot—complete with new keys, of course.

Don’t hesitate to call 4 Got Keys at Wilmington if you find yourself stuck on the wrong side of your own front door. Their 24/7 availability, friendly service, and affordable prices will make you feel right at home.

4 Ways A Locksmith Can Help You With Residential & Commercial Locks

Everyone has experienced the frustration of getting locked out of a car or building. When that happens, do you call your local locksmith? Typically, lock specialists offer more services than just opening up a locked door. In fact, by reading this article, you will find out more about the different residential and commercial services offered by your local locksmith.

4 Ways A Locksmith Can Help You With Residential & Commercial Locks

#1: Lockouts

It’s happened to everyone, shutting the door to your home or office then realizing the keys are inside. When that happens, what is the first thing you do? Find an open window? Call someone who has a spare key? Pick the lock yourself?

More often than not, the easiest thing to do is call your local locksmith. Most locksmiths will offer convenient lockout services for an affordable price. If you feel like a spare key is essential to preventing this situation, we can make one for you. 

Locksmiths are well-versed in the art of using non-destructive methods to regain access to the locked home or office. In fact, locksmiths go through professional training and apprenticeship before they take on the profession by themselves.

#2: Lock Installation

There are some instances where, as a homeowner, you might wish to upgrade your home’s lock system. Often adding a deadbolt to your front and back door can do a lot to increase your sense of security. A residential locksmith can help you choose the right type of locks for your home that adds that extra blanket of security.

Conversely, if you are a business owner, protecting your store from theft is essential. There are many reasons you might choose to install new and stronger locks on your doors.

 For instance, if there has recently been a string of break-ins around the city, stronger locks could deter thieves. Along with a good security system, strong locks can do wonders for protecting your business and investment. A commercial locksmith can make recommendations for locks that will help increase your business’s security during off-hours.

#3: Re-Keying

Have you recently dealt with a home burglary? Or, perhaps you have a disgruntled ex-employee with access to your business or office? In both of these instances, a locksmith can help! 

Locksmiths not only specialize in unlocking doors for clients, but we also can re-key locks. This refers to when a locksmith replaces the current lock pins with new ones, causing the need for a new key. 

Having a locksmith rekey your home can help prevent unwanted persons from getting inside your home or business. If you have had a dispute with family members or employees who have a key to your home or building, rekeying ensures they will not be able to enter.

#4: Lock Repair

Locking mechanisms are vulnerable to wear and tear, just like any other product. Additionally, picking a lock, along with other non-key entry methods, can cause damage to the lock itself. 

If you are dealing with a broken lock and need it repaired quickly, call your local locksmith. Locksmiths are trained to provide a variety of services to customers, including lock repair! Each and every lock is uniquely made and therefore requires precise handling. A locksmith has the expertise and knowledge to repair your locks quickly.