If you find yourself locked out of your house, stay calm. These things happen. This guide outlines steps to take if you can't get into your home, from simple solutions to calling in an emergency locksmith.
If you are in or around Newcastle, call AD Locksmithing on 07865367298.
Summary
Check for other entry points, such as unlocked doors and windows, and call family or neighbours for help.
Try DIY methods like using a credit card or removing the doorknob to unlock the door, but be careful not to damage anything.
Consider hiding a spare key or getting a keysafe to avoid future lockouts.
Call a locksmith for safe and professional help if all else fails.
What to Do First
If you are locked out of your house, stay calm. Panic will cloud your judgement and make it harder to make clear decisions. First, assess the situation you are in, consider the weather, time of day and your exact location as this can make your situation more urgent.
Before you call a professional locksmith, you can try some preliminary steps to get back into your home. This means checking if there are other entry points into the house and contacting people who live in the house with you, family members, roommates, or neighbours nearby. These initial steps will be covered below.
Check for Open Doors and Unlocked Windows
Start by walking around your house and checking every door and window, especially the first-floor windows. This includes the garage door, side entrances, and front door locks to see if they are open. You may find an open door that will let you in. During this check around your home, if you find a first-floor window is open—be careful to remove screens if needed—use it to get into your house.
Also, consider that some doors may have electronic locks that have different ways of opening them, such as entering a code on a keypad or using a dedicated app. Always be careful when trying to open windows or doors, don't harm yourself or damage the property.
Call a Family Member or Roommate
If you can't get in after checking all entry points, call a family member or roommate. They may have a spare key or can get home and let you in. This is especially useful if you cohabit as someone will likely have a key to the house.
If you are a tenant you may also contact your landlord or property manager for help.
Ask Neighbours for Help
Sometimes the key to getting out of a locked out situation is right next door. Ask neighbours you trust. They may have the right tools or advice to get you back into your home. Good neighbours can be a lifesaver during these times, they can lend a helping hand and be a friend and back you up when you need access.
DIY Solutions
If quick fixes don't work, prepare yourself for some hands on solutions that may get you back in. Your lock and door type will determine which method to use. Possible methods include using a plastic card, disassembling the door handle or door knob, and making makeshift tools. Know each method and its procedures and safety precautions. The locking mechanism will also determine what will DIY methods will work.
Make sure whatever DIY method you choose doesn't damage your door or lock, causing a bigger problem. These methods work best with spring latch locks and older doors with simpler locking mechanisms.
These methods are often very tricky, and without the correct setup, they are sometimes impossible. At this point consider calling a professional lock out emergency locksmith.
Door Latches - Use a Plastic Card
A hard plastic card or, in some cases, a credit card to open a door is a well-known DIY method to gain entry. This method is difficult to pull off and only works on doors that open away from you. It's important to note that if this door has a rebate, it will be difficult to open without using a locksmith that provides lockout services. A door with a rebate prevents you from sliding a card directly towards the latch.
To do this:
Slide the card (like a credit card) between the frame and the door where the latch is.
Once in, force the card towards the latch. The latch should pop back.
While the card is still in place, push the door open.
Note that this works better on older doors with simpler locking mechanisms. This can be especially true when dealing with door restrictors versus other more modern or secure locked doors with more advanced security features.
Door Handles - Remove the Door Handle
If the credit card method doesn't work, try removing the doorknob. This will require a flathead screwdriver. Follow these steps:
Look closely at the doorknob for any visible screws.
If there are no visible screws, look for a small hole or slot on the side of the doorknob.
Use a small screwdriver or something similar and insert it into the hole to remove the doorknob.
Now that you have removed the doorknob, there should be a small square hole where you removed it from. Try pulling its insides towards the back of the mechanism to disengage latch from its position. If done correctly, the latch will clear its striking plate and the door will open. Be careful not to close that door again afterwards, as you will lock yourself out again. Instead, call a locksmith to get the door fixed for you.
If you don't have proper tools, sometimes you can make do with what you have around you. If you know the method, bobby pins and paper clips can be used as makeshift tools to pick simple locks. Flatten out a strong paper clip to be a tension wrench that applies pressure inside the lock's cylinder to do this. Use another paper clip or bobby pin to manipulate the internal pins.
It takes some practice and patience but can be a useful hack.
Locked in - Use a hook
If you are locked in and the door opens towards you, you will be able to use a hook to depress the latch. This can be quite tricky as you may have to apply a lot of pressure on the latch to open it. Some UPVC multi point locking doors may have rebates on the inside that prevent this from working.
Professional Solutions
If DIY doesn't work or seems too risky, it's best to get expert help. A professional locksmith will have a safe and non-destructive way to get you back into your home without damaging the door or lock. Choosing professional help means your lock will still be functional and you'll have peace of mind about your home's security.
There are various professional options, including calling a locksmith, using emergency locksmith services in Newcastle or contacting your landlord if you're a renter. We'll look into these options with a focus on emergency services provided by professionals.
Call an Emergency Locksmith
When you're locked out of your home, calling a professional locksmith is usually your best bet. Experienced in all types of lockouts, they can get into your home without damaging the door or lock. A company like AD Locksmithing offers this service, and I'm accredited, and DBS checked for reliability. If you lose keys for a standard system, they can fit a new lock or get a replacement key.
For other lost key, compromised lock or break-in damage repair issues, locksmiths have techniques to preserve your locks integrity by not using destructive methods during unlocking. Drilling a lock should be the last resort.
Choosing a locksmith is the quickest and safest way to get back into your home.
Emergency Locksmith Services in Newcastle
In Newcastle, AD Locksmithing offers a full range of emergency locksmith services. I do lock picking, lock replacement, lock installation and non-destructive door opening in emergency situations.
AD Locksmithing aims to be with you within 20-30 minutes of being called out.
Known for their quick response, professional attitude and being comforting in emergencies, customers rave about AD Locksmithing. Day or night, I am is available to get you back into your home quickly and efficiently.
Contact Your Landlord
If you're a renter, contacting your landlord or property manager is a simple and easy option. They may have a spare key to help you out, or have other ways of getting in. Keep your landlord's contact details handy for these types of situations.
Contacting your landlord may also be quicker and cheaper than hiring a locksmith for entry assistance, but may not be available out of hours, during week ends or Bank Holidays.
How to Avoid Lockouts
To avoid being locked out in the future, you need to take precautions and be prepared. Some ways to do this are to hide a spare key in a safe place, give a spare key to a trusted neighbour or install a keysafe, which offer more flexibility.
Hide a Spare Key
To avoid being locked out in the future, hide an extra key in a secret and safe place. Don't hide it in obvious places like under the welcome mat or in your mailbox. Choose unique and safe places like inside a decoy rock, on a branch in your backyard tree or attached to the outside of an air conditioning unit.
Give a Spare Key to a Trusted Neighbour
It's a good idea to give an extra key to a reliable and trustworthy neighbour. If you get locked out, retrieving the spare key from your neighbour means no need and cost of calling a locksmith.
Residential Properties - Add a Key Safe
Installing a key safe is a secure and convenient way to ensure you never get locked out of your home again. A key safe is a small, lockable box that can be mounted on the exterior wall of your house. It is designed to hold spare keys and can only be accessed by entering a combination code.
Commercial Properties - Upgrade to Smart Door Locks
Upgrading your door locks to electronic smart locks is a great decision that can improve the security and access to your business. By offering keyless entry options these smart door locks eliminate the need for physical keys and the chance of being locked out due to lost or forgotten keys.
Conclusion
In summary being locked out of your home can be a real pain and stressful. It's not supposed to ruin your day. If you stay calm and act fast, such as looking for other ways to get in, contacting others living with you or calling a neighbour nearby, these might help resolve the issue quickly. If those don't work though, you can always try DIY methods like inserting a credit card Between the door and its frame, unscrewing the doorknob or better yet call a professional locksmith.
To avoid the same problem in the future, hide a spare key somewhere safe and accessible around your property or give an extra key to someone nearby you trust— maybe consider installing a keysafe. Taking these precautions means minimizing the chance of getting locked out again. Remember AD Locksmithing is always here to help as your go-to locksmith, we offer locksmith services for quick solutions and our client's satisfaction is our top priority so safety and security is always guaranteed!
Published: 30th July, 2024 | Updated: 30th July, 2024