Locked out of the house? Eight things you can do to get back in
Can’t get in to your home? Having a back- up plan is key, says Sam WylieHarris.
WE’VE all felt that awful sinking feeling. Fumbling in our handbag or pocket and realising we don’t have the front door keys. Or hearing the thud of the door closing behind us and finding ourselves locked out.
And with households getting back into a routine for the first time in months, it’s hardly surprising we’re not used to thinking about the basics, like who’s got the keys?
What’s more, it can be extremely stressful, especially if you have a pet or are worried you’ve left the oven or iron on. But don’t panic.
To help, we’ve turned to trades site myjobquote. co. uk for their top tips on what you can do to get back into your home safely – and a few precautions to stop yourself getting locked out again in the future...
1. Look for open windows
If you’ve left a window open, it’s possible to climb into your house – but avoid using first- storey windows and try to keep to the ground floor. It’s worth checking if any other doors are unlocked too, for instance, the back door, as you may not have locked it before heading out.
2. Call friends or family with a key
If you share your house with others, try to contact them and ask if they can manage to pop home and let you into the house. This might not be possible if they’re at work, but it’s certainly worth trying. If you rent the property, try calling the landlord to see if they’re able to help out.
3. DIY lock- picking
Lock- picking is definitely not as easy as it looks, but you can use a card ( your most flexible one, and avoid using an important one like a credit or debit card) to try and open the door. Slide the card in the gap between the door and lock and try to force it, to push the lock mechanism back by wiggling the door simultaneously.
4. Call a locksmith
If you’ve tried everything from the list above and you’ve had no luck, calling a locksmith is your best bet. It’ll usually cost around £ 70 for a locksmith to open your door, but if it’s out of working hours and you need an emergency locksmith, it could cost you up to £ 100. They’ll be able to open the door for you in about 30 minutes, so you can get back into your property.
5. Hide a spare key in a safe place
Getting a spare key cut and hiding in a safe spot outside can stop you getting locked out ever again. You can purchase a wall- mounted key safe with a combination lock, or even a fake rock to hide a spare key in. Neither option will break the bank, either.
6. Give a spare key to a trusted neighbour
If you don’t like the idea of hiding a spare key, giving a spare key to a trusted neighbour is also another great option. If you have family or
friends living nearby, even better, you can ask them to keep a spare key for you.
7. Keep a spare key in your car
If you’re a bit wary of handing out spare keys or hiding them around your garden, it might be worth keeping a spare key in your car. Ensure you hide it well, as the only downside to having a house key in
your car, is if your car is broken into they’ll also have access to your house. So, choose a safe place no- one will be able to find it easily within your car, and don’t tell anyone about it.
8. Invest in a smart locking system
You can even get rid of keys entirely and set up a smart locking system. Your smartphone can then
become your key, and you can open the door with the click of a button. There are also smart locks that use a fingerprint or numerical code to get into a property, so you can decide which is the best option for you. Smart locking systems will cost around £ 200 to install ( per door). It is a more expensive option, but hopefully, you’ll never be locked out again!