Locking yourself out of your home can often be very frustrating, especially under poor weather conditions or if you are in a rush for a deadline or appointment. No matter how prudent you are, it is normal to have an off-day every now and then. When you get back home, and realize you forgot to take your keys or lost them somewhere, remember not to worry too much because you have options.
Prevention
Keeping in mind that everyone messes up sometimes, you should always take preventative measures to make sure you are not caught off guard on the off-chance you are locked out:
- Give a spare key to a trusted neighbor, family member, or friend
- Hide a spare key in a natural-looking (such as rock-shaped) lockbox or plant behind your house
- Keep a spare key in your wallet
- Write yourself a post-it note on your door reminding you to bring all the essentials you need when leaving your home
- Attach your keys to a large keychain with a lanyard so that you can’t miss them
- Use a lock that has a number code instead of a key slot
What to Do
The first thing to do if you lock yourself out is to take a deep breath. Things like this happen often. If you have not taken precaution measures (above), you still have options. You can check it out here:
- If you don’t have a deadbolt, you can try to wiggle the spring to open the door
- See if you have an unlocked back door or window
- Contact a locksmith, such as popalock.com
- If you live in an apartment or condominium community, see if the property manager has a copy of your key to use for emergencies
- If you are renting your home, see if your landlord has a spare key
Safety Precautions
If you are locked out, your safety should be your number one priority. For example, if there is a lightning storm, make sure you stay covered to avoid electrocution. Additionally, an initial thought may be to break a window or force open the door, but you should not do this because it may cause damage to your house and you will have to spend more money on repairs when you could have just contacted a locksmith in the first place.
If You Are Locked Out Of Your Car
Locking yourself out of your car when you are away from your home can be just as frustrating as locking yourself out of your home. If your keys are inside your car, calling a locksmith is recommended. While there are creative ways of opening your car yourself using everyday items found online, you could end up damaging your car.
Depending on the lock, qualified locksmith in Orlando have the tools to timely unlock your car without causing any damage, however. If your key is lost, most locksmiths also know how to create new keys for you to be able to drive your car again. Many locksmiths also offer emergency services for when a child or pet is locked inside a vehicle and will make opening that door a top priority. By calling a locksmith near the area you are located in, you can get more info about the services that they offer, and they will typically let you know how long it will take to arrive at your location.
