Depending On The Timing And Your Neighborhood, Being Locked Out Can Be Scary
At the end of the long and hard day at work, you approach your house, filled with happy thoughts about the good food that awaits you. You might even put on some nice classic movie to go with it as you relax on the sofa. The only thing that can dampen your mood is when you reach out to your pocket to realize you have lost your keys. The keys can be anywhere, maybe you left them inside the house, or in your office, or just dropped them on the road. The bottom line now is that you are locked out and have no idea what to do.
This scenario may have happened to you already or not. Being prepared can help you face this situation with more grace than panicking. If you live in a neighborhood that is not safe or it’s late at night, then being locked out can be a daunting experience. You will feel alone and vulnerable and feel suspicious about everyone walking past you. Worst case scenario, the neighbors might call the police as they might think that a burglar is lurking on your front door. While this will not be the worst disaster you will face in your life, here’s what you can do if you get locked out.
Call For A Locksmith
This might seem like stating the obvious, but at times when you are anxious, then this is not the first option that will come to your mind. You might try to jimmy the lock of your front door and attract more unwanted attention. Look for a residential locksmith like diamond lock and security that is available 24 by 7. Such locksmiths can help you get back inside your house quickly. Generally, a dispatcher answers your call with whom you share your location and explain the situation. They then send a skilled locksmith to help you get it back. This is your best option if you have the contact or are able to find a locksmith available 24/7. The other benefit of getting a skilled locksmith to help you with the lock is that they have special tools that allow them to open the locked door easily without keys and at the same time keeping the integrity of the door lock intact. This way you don’t end up paying furthermore money to fix a new lock. If you don’t have the above service in your area then use the tips below.
Call Someone You Know
If you live with a partner or a roommate then you should call them and check if they are available. If so then they will be able to help you to get inside your houses more quickly than any other option listed here. If you have rented your apartment then you can ask the real estate agent or the landlord for help. Most of the landlords and real estate agencies generally have spare keys with them and will happily help you. Well, if it’s not 2 am in the morning. You can also try to recollect if you have given the spare keys to your house to any friend of yours.
Check If Any Window Is Open
To begin with, you should never leave your windows open when you leave the house as it’s not safe and an invitation for burglars to get in. However, if you do remember leaving it open on that particular day then this can be a potential way for you to get in. Ensure you use extreme caution if you plan to enter your house in this manner, especially if the window is high up from the ground. Simultaneously, this could also cause the neighbors to alarm as they might think that someone is breaking into your house.
Go To Your Neighbours
Being friendly and kind to your neighbors always pays in the long run. If you are leaving for a long vacation then a good neighbor will help look after your pet and plants for you. Moreover, especially in times like this when you are locked out of your house, you will be ever grateful that you were kind to your neighbors. If your neighbor is the handy type, they will happily work out a way to get you in with their tool kit. If they are not the handy types, well you can still knock on their door and hang out there while help is on its way. When the weather is extremely hard outdoors with heavy rains or snowstorms, this can be an ideal option to remain safe.
Use Your Credit Card
This one is an age-old trick and you might have probably seen it on TV already. You can actually try to open your locked door using a credit, debit, or ID card. You need to make sure the card is made of thick white plastic. Place the card firmly between the door and the frame and press the handle forcefully. You can also try to hit the locking mechanism with the card and then press it until it unlocks.
Remove The Door Knob
If you can get the tools from your neighbor or someone else then you can take apart the doorknob itself. While there are many types of door knobs that can be disassembled in different ways, most of them generally require a hammer, paperclip, and a screwdriver. When you have entered your home after removing the door now you can easily put it back right away.
Break-In
If all the other options fail then you will have to eventually break-in. If the weather conditions are very rough, then staying outdoors for a long time may cause you to get sick. If you have children or pets inside that can be very hungry or need your care then this will be the only option left available after you have exhausted all the others. However, this is not advised as breaking the windows and trying to get in through broken glass can be very dangerous.
The above options can help you to understand what you need to do when you are locked out. To further prevent yourself from getting into such a situation, the best option is to always have two or three spare keys made and placed in safe spots right from the beginning itself.
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