Home Lockout Scenarios: Steps to Take When Locked Out
Getting locked out of your home can be a stressful and frustrating experience, especially if you or a family member is in a hurry or dealing with unfavorable weather conditions. However, knowing how to handle a home lockout calmly and effectively can help minimize inconvenience, avoid damage to your property, maintain a high level of home security, and give you peace of mind again.
This article will provide practical steps to take during a home lockout and preventative measures to prevent lockouts from occurring in the future. To help get you back inside your home safely, consider calling the lockout services of Real Time today!
Preventing Home Lockouts: Proactive Steps You Can Take
Preventing a home lockout begins with being proactive. The tips outlined below will help reduce the likelihood of a home lockout in the first place. Some preventive home lockout strategies include:
Modern Solutions: Keyless Locks and Smart Locks
Keyless Entry
Keyless entry security systems offer modern solutions to traditional lock and key mechanisms. With keyless security systems, you can enter your home using a code or biometric authentication, eliminating the need for physical keys.
Smart Lock
On the other hand, smart lock technology can be controlled remotely by using a smartphone app, allowing you to lock and unlock the locks on your door from anywhere in the world. This technology provides convenience and flexibility and can significantly reduce the risk of potential lockouts while allowing you to regain access remotely.
You’ll never have to worry about hanging a key on a key hook again. With a push of a button, you can remotely control the locks on your door and prevent being locked out of your house.
The locksmith services at Real Time Locksmith can show you all of the latest electronic locks and smart locking systems we can install in your home.
Routine Maintenance of Locks and Keys
Regular maintenance of your locks and keys from our trusted locksmith team can help prevent malfunctions and minimize the risk of a lockout situation. We lubricate locks periodically to ensure smooth operation and promptly replace worn or damaged keys for better home security.
Additionally, our services also check for loose screws or other signs of wear and tear that may affect the performance of your locks.
Our team may also check the physical keys for any damage or regular wear and tear to ensure you never have a key break off inside the lock, creating an unnecessary home lockout situation.
Check All Possible Entry Points
When locked out of your house, you must check all possible alternative entry points, including unlocked windows, back doors, and garage doors. While the front door may be your house’s most obvious entry point, you may find an alternative way to access your home through a different door or window.
A Word of Caution
If you experience a lockout, don’t try to force a locked window or a locked door by yourself. Contact our team of locksmith specialists to help you with a locked door or window. Our lockout services use safe technology to properly get your doors and windows open without causing any damage to your property.
Alternative Entry Methods
If you lose access to your home through conventional means, consider contacting a neighbor, family member, or trusted friend if you entrusted them with a spare key. You can also use paper clips, bobby pins, or a credit card to try to jimmy the lock (only if it’s a spring latch and not a deadbolt).
Know What You’re Doing!
It is important to note that paper clips or bobby pins can break off inside the locks. On the other hand, using a credit card to unlock your door can cause damage to both the card and the lock. If you are unsure how to use these methods, contact our lockout services at Real Time today so we can help with the right tools and expertise.
Securely Hide a Spare Key
Hiding a spare key outside your home can provide a backup plan in case of a lockout, but finding a spot that won’t compromise your home’s security is essential.
Avoid placing your spare keys in obvious hiding spots, for example, under doormats or flower pots, and choose a discreet location that only you and trusted individuals know about.
Additional Tips for Avoiding Future Lockouts
In addition to the preventative measures listed above, consider the following tips for additional ways to avoid and handle lockout scenarios:
When and Why to Choose Professional Locksmith Services?
If you cannot regain access to your home using alternative methods, it may be time to call a professional locksmith. Locksmiths have the proper tools and expertise to unlock doors without causing damage to the lock or to the door frame, ensuring a swift and efficient resolution to your lockout situation.
Not only do we have special lock-picking tools designed for home lockout emergencies, but our services have no hidden fees. We save you both time and money while increasing your home security. We also carry a wide range of high-security locks we can install as a last resort if lock-picking isn’t an option or your locks are damaged and cannot be repaired.
Regardless of your home lockout scenario, we have the tools and years of experience to get you back inside your house safely and give you peace of mind when it comes to your home security.
Check Your Insurance
Always check your home insurance policy to see if it covers a home lockout situation and whether it provides reimbursement for professional locksmith services. Some policies may offer coverage for lockout-related expenses, such as locksmith fees, replacement keys, or replacement door and lock systems.
Never Face Another Lockout Scenario Again
Getting locked out of your home can be a stressful experience. Still, by taking proactive measures to prevent lockouts and knowing how to handle them effectively when they occur, you can minimize inconvenience and ensure a swift resolution.
By investing in modern solutions such as keyless entry systems and smart locks, maintaining your locks and keys regularly, and considering alternative entry methods, you can reduce the risk of home lockouts and enhance the security of your home for years to come.
Regaining access to your house is something the trained professionals at Real Time Locksmith Services can help you with. Our local locksmith team can also help you avoid lockouts in the future, so you’ll have peace of mind knowing your home’s security is top-notch.
