What To Do If You Get Locked Out Of The House

**Collaborative post**

When you’re running a busy family, the last thing you want is to get locked out of the house. But it is something that can happen all too easily. Slamming the door shut without first picking up your keys is all it takes. 

It’s even worse if you’re with kids. Children may be screaming, or you might be stuck out in the cold. 

In this post, we explore what you should do if you find yourself locked out of the house. Here’s the process you should follow if it ever happens to you. 

Check That Nobody Else Has A Key

Usually, someone in your family will have a key for the house. Call your spouse at work or ask a relative with a key to come over and get you out of your sticky situation. In most cases, this is the quickest and easiest solution. 

If you can’t get hold of the family member or friend with the spare key, you’ll have to track them down. This can be annoying, but, again, it can save you a lot of hassle. 

If you rent your home, you can always reach out to your landlord. Usually, they will have a spare key and be able to let you in. Most will come over free of charge – no callout fees. 

Check The Windows And Backdoor

Sometimes you can get away with being locked out of your house by checking both the windows and backdoor. If you have any open windows, you may be able to climb inside, so long as it is safe to do so. 

Even if windows look shut, they may not be locked. For this reason, you can sometimes prize them open with whatever tools you have to hand. Generally speaking, it is easier to climb in through conventional casement windows than double-glazed. 

Call The Locksmith

If you’re running out of time and need to get inside urgently, then you’ll want to call a locksmith. They carry tools that allow them to unlock your door in a few minutes, granting you entry without damaging any of your locking mechanisms.

Most use master keys that they can modify to turn any lock. They can also use picks if you have a non-standard lock. 

Just make sure that you choose accredited locksmiths only. Check that they have the necessary licenses.

Break In 

You can break in if the circumstances demand it, but beware, it will cost you a lot of money to fix any damage you cause. It is also often quite physically challenging. In many cases, it is simply better to go and stay with a neighbour until the locksmith arrives, even if that means waiting overnight. Hiring a professional is often cheaper than clearing up the damage afterwards. 

In some cases, you don’t actually need to use force. You can improvise by using your own tools. However, you still need to understand how to pick locks. 

If you have a bobby pin or paper clip on you, that can help. By bending them in a certain way, you can feel the position of the pins inside the lock and then carefully work to open it. 

If you’re trying to breach a spring bolt lock, you’ll need a plastic card. Push the card in between the latch and the door frame and then jiggle it around, attempting to push the latch back. Once it’s inside the door, you’ll be able to twist the handle and open it.  

How To Prevent Getting Locked Out

Getting locked out of your home is always a risk if you use traditional keys. For this reason, many people are upgrading keypads or electronic front door security. It negates the need to carry keys around with you at all, and most don’t even require a smartphone to operate. 

You can also prevent getting locked out by wearing your keys on a chain. This way, they go with you wherever you are. 

What To Avoid When You Get Locked Out

There are some things that you definitely shouldn’t do if you get locked out. 

For instance, don’t call the police. They may charge you for their time as being locked out of your home isn’t an emergency situation. 

Also, don’t try to smash your windows with rocks. You could potentially severely injure yourself. Shattered glass is extremely dangerous, and large shards can cut you deeply, causing blood loss. 

Lastly, don’t try to climb in through open windows on the upper floors. You may fall off the ladder and injure yourself severely.