10 Ways to handle a House Lockout
So you are locked out of your house. Do not panic. Some of the following tips may seem obvious, but it’s easy to miss the little details when your in stress.
Check out the list below to see which options are best for your situation.
- Call roommates or family members. If you don’t have access to a phone, contact a neighbor. If you are renting, contact the property rental office or the landlord.
- Check all windows, doors, and garages. Does your garage have a door to enter? Are windows or other doors open without locking?
- Are your neighbors at home? Can you use their phone to call someone or do they have any tools you can use to get in?
- Do you have any kind of plastic, library card, credit card etc. to open the door? Your door must be of a specific type for this to work, but skip to number #4 if your house uses spring lock knobs and you want to try this method.
- Do you have tools like a screwdriver? Check if there are visible screws in the door knob or if the plate can be removed. Read number #5 for information on how to remove the door knob completely.
- Call a locksmith. Use your phone or a neighbor’s and call a professional for help.
- In future lockouts, try to leave a key with a neighbor, friend, or close family member.
- Consider hiding a copy of your key somewhere on your property.
- Invest in a keyless locking system for your front door.
- Get in the habit of making sure you leave the house with your keys and all the necessary things your need.
6 Ways to get in when you’re Locked Out
- Call Family, Friends, or the Landlord.
If you have roommates / family members and they are not at home, give them a call. If you also left your phone, you will need to contact a neighbor to use yours. Hopefully your family / spouse / roommate etc can let you in.
If you are renting, try calling the owner or visiting the rental office. Often times, apartment / townhome management offices can get you out of trouble, although they may charge a fee. Landlords, on the other hand, can be a bit more unpredictable depending on their proximity to your location. If you are renting to a landlord, it is not a bad idea to call as they may have left a key at the property for these types of situations.
- Check all windows, doors, garages, etc. accessible.
If there’s no one around to let you in, or if you live alone and don’t have an owner / executive office to contact, it’s up to you to figure out how to get in. Start by checking the outline of your house. If you live in a house, check all accessible doors and windows. If you have a window that is slightly open, try removing the screen and slide the window open. Be careful if you manage to find an open window and climb through it. If you have a garage with access to the house, but the garage is sealed, see if you can open it or if it opens via remote, pray that you have your car keys to get the clicker out of your car.
If you are in a townhome, you may have fewer options. There may not be a back door on your unit or it may only have windows on the second floor. Therefore, unless the weather is nice and your windows are open or you have a habit of not leaving the rear or side door closed, you will not be able to enter. Don’t break the windows yet.
- Ask the neighbors for help
Most likely, for whichever route you decide to take, you will need the help of a neighbor. It is highly unlikely that you have managed to lock yourself in with a set of tools, a pick or otherwise. However, your neighbors may be able to help you. They may have tools to help you, such as a ladder, screwdriver, pitchfork, etc. Even a straightened wire clip or coat rack can be used to make a padlock if you’re lucky, although this depends on the type of door your home has.
They may also have some tips to help you get back into your home. Listen to their advice and thank them for their help.
- Use a credit or library card to open the door.
Depending on the type of door your house has, you can try to open the lock yourself. Be aware that many modern and newer doors may not allow this method. If you (or your neighbor) have a credit card, or better yet, a sturdy laminated card like a library card, try picking the lock with it. A laminated card is more flexible and will be more suitable for opening a standard latch. Either way, use a card that is not very important, as this method can damage the card. It’s already blocked, so let’s avoid calling the credit card company to get a new card as well.
If your door is some kind of spring latch, using a card can work. If you try to turn the handle and it won’t turn, your door is a spring lock and it’s locked. Know that your front door may be a more modern and secure type of button, but if your home is a garage door, the button on that door may be more conducive to this method of entry. If the door is also locked with a latch, this method may not be possible. In this case, consider contacting a professional.
To open the door, slide the card between the door and the frame and keep your other hand on the knob / handle. You may need to press down on the door with the hand holding the button to create additional space between the door and the frame for the card to enter.
With the card clamped between the door and the frame, place the card parallel to the door and where the doorknob is located. Touch the card to the frame. You should feel the lock parallel to where the button is. This may take a while to find the right spot, but fit the card where you feel the resistance of the latch on the frame. Tilt the card toward the doorknob to fit more of the gap between the door and the frame. Then fold the card in the opposite direction so that it slides under the latch. You may need to shake the card more while your other hand pulls or pushes the door handle. Apply pressure to the door / handle when you feel something being thrown by moving the card, and wait for it to open. Don’t be discouraged, this can be challenging.
- Remove the door knob
If you cannot open the door with the credit card method, you can try to remove the knob yourself. Note that this will only work again if you don’t have a deadbolt type of lock engaged.
And again, your front door may not have a handle that can be removed so easily. In that case, find a professional. If you have neighbors nearby, ask for help and see if they have screwdrivers. Make sure you know what kind of screws are on your doorknob. You will likely need a flat screwdriver and a Phillips screwdriver.
Many exterior door knobs do not have visible screws. In this case, you will need to find a small latch or a way to remove the door knob / plate. Use the flat screwdriver with some pry to pry.
On a Deadbolt type of Door knob – Remove all internal screws with the Phillips screwdriver. If all of this works, you can slide the knob to the side and pull the latch with your finger or a screwdriver. This may be a slower method, but if done correctly it will not cause any damage to your door.
- Call a locksmith
You don’t have a card, you don’t have access, you don’t have neighbors. You have no choice. Time to call the locksmith. The costs of a locksmith vary depending on where you live and the scope of services required. For example, a locksmith in Memphis, Tennessee charges between $65 and $120 for residential lockout, while a locksmith in Manhattan, New York City charges $150 to open your locked door.
If you have completely lost your keys, the costs can increase even more. Despite the price, the locksmith is your safest bet if you’re unsure of your junior lock picking skills or don’t have the time or patience to battle your front door.
4 ways to avoid or prevent future lockouts
Now that you’re home, it’s time to plan ahead and make sure you don’t get locked out again.
Prepare for the future by taking some preventative measures as soon as you move into a new home. By following the four tips below, you will save valuable time and money in the event of an early closure.
- Give a copy of your key to a close relative or neighbor
The next time you’re at the hardware store, consider making a few extra copies of your key. Give them to trusted neighbors or close friends and family.
In case you get stuck again, you can easily call your neighbor or family member and if all goes well you will be back home in no time. In return, you can offer to bring a copy of your house key in case it gets locked.
- Hide a copy of your key in your garden
If you have no one around whom you can trust with a copy of your home key, or if you want a different backup method, hide one of those spare keys you just created in a secret and safe place.
Whatever you do, don’t make the mistake of putting your spare key in common places, like under your doormat or on an obviously fake accent stone. If you do this, your home could be broken into.
Instead, go for something a little more covert. Do you have any trees in the backyard? Consider nailing your key to the back of a tree in a location that is not visible from the house. If that’s not your style, maybe invest in a magnetic safe that you can keep somewhere in your car. You just have to wait for your car to be home when they lock it.
Another option is to put a key in an air conditioning unit or grill. Make sure it is safely hidden and not in danger, or it cannot damage the device. One last idea is to consider hiding a key in your gutter. It should be placed at the top of the gutter so that the rain does not stain or damage the faucet. Use a sturdy velcro strip or glue to secure and secure the key to the gutter.
- Install a keyless lock on your door
If you want to avoid lockouts and improve the overall security of your home, install a keyless lock on the door. There are many options available for keyless door locks, offering a high level of security in addition to advanced technology. Best of all, they are not as expensive as you might think.
Keyless door locks come with many features such as fingerprint recognition, door code access, and cell phone compatibility.
These locks are available at hardware stores, hardware stores, and locksmiths. Since installation can be complicated, consider hiring a professional to complete the installation.
Installing a keyless door lock will help you take a big step forward with the latest security features for your home and help you avoid walking out the door.
- Make a habit
You most likely have a lot on your mind. As you prepare to leave home, you are probably thinking about what is going on at work, your children, your pets, what you will prepare for dinner, and whether you recently called your grandmother.
That is a lot to do.
So get in the habit of reminding yourself to get the keys when you leave the house. Put them on the front door or in a specific place in your bag or suitcase. Each time you prepare to leave the house, say or list all the things you need to collect before leaving the door. Make sure your door key is one of them!
Life is hard enough without having to deal with being locked out. If you found yourself in situation where you cannot get into your own home, follow the six steps above. Only then, when you’re ready, prepare for the inevitable future lockout.
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