What To Do When You Are Locked Out of Your Home

Getting locked out never happens at a convenient time. You’re probably rushing, distracted, or dealing with a change in routine. Perhaps you lost your keys. The situation can be stressful, but most lockouts are resolved quickly and easily.

Stay Calm and Check the Situation First

It’s natural to panic, but take a step back, pause and assess things properly. It’s tempting to rush ahead, but it often leads to unnecessary damage and additional expense.

Make sure nobody is locked inside. If children or vulnerable people are inside and you can’t get in, you should call for help immediately. Safety always comes before property concerns.

Can You Get Back in Without Professional Help?

If there’s no immediate risk, consider any entrances that might be open.

Check every external door carefully. This means back doors, patio doors, and garage access are all worth checking. When you’re in a panic, it’s common for one door to be unlocked without you realising.

If you have no luck there, look at the windows next. But it’s important to not force anything open.

Forcing entry usually causes damage. Trying to push or pry a window or door often causes damage. Broken locks and broken glass will also cost more to repair later. Climbing through windows or forcing doors can also cause you an injury. It will also give you a security issue to deal with afterwards.

Take a moment to think through other options. Start by checking for a spare key. Do any trusted neighbours, friends, or family have one? It is easy to forget this when stressed.

Some people consider calling emergency services at this point. But this is not appropriate for standard lockouts.

Police and fire services do not attend lockouts unless there is a danger to life. For example:

• A person inside requires urgent medical attention or is vulnerable (a child, elderly person, or someone with a medical condition).
• There is a fire hazard inside the property, such as unattended cooking, hair straighteners left on, or lit candles.
• There is a gas leak, water leak, or another significant hazard that needs immediate attention to prevent major damage or loss of life.
• If a child or pet is locked in a vehicle, especially in extreme weather conditions.

If no one is at risk, an emergency locksmith is the right option.

They have the tools and training to get you back inside safely without the likely damage of you forcing a door or breaking a window.

If you’ve exhausted all your easy options, call a locksmith. Most locksmiths handle lockouts regularly. For them, it’s a routine job, not an unusual situation.

Can a Locksmith Open the Door Without Damage?

This is one of the most common concerns.

Non-destructive entry depends on the lock type and condition. A key snapped in a lock, for example, will require a different approach to lost keys or a door that’s accidentally shut behind you.

But modern locksmith tools offer more of a chance for damage-free access, and the locksmith’s experience plays a big role here.

But some damage may be unavoidable. Locks that have failed, snapped keys, or internal damage change the approach to getting back in. The locksmith should explain this clearly before starting work. You should always be told what is happening and why. Even in an emergency lockout situation.

How Long Does It Usually Take?

There are many factors at play. Availability of the locksmith, time of day, lock type, door condition and security features all factor in the time element. Poorly maintained doors sometimes slow things down.

But most lockouts are resolved faster than you’ll expect. With a simple lockout, you can likely be back inside within a matter of minutes of the locksmith arriving.

Will the Lock Need Replacing Afterwards?

This depends on the nature of the lockout. If you’ve lost your keys, for security reasons, you’ll want to change the locks. The same applies if your lock has failed.

If you’ve shut your keys inside and non-destructive entry is a viable option, usually nothing needs replacing.

A good locksmith will explain your options clearly.

What Will a Locksmith Need From You?

When you call, explain as best you can the type of lock. Locksmiths also have a duty to verify your access rights and will start this process from the initial contact.

• Photo ID is commonly requested
• Proof of address may also be needed
• Utility bills or digital documents are often acceptable

It’s possible that any documents are locked inside. The locksmith can verify your right to access once access is gained.  

How Much Does a Lockout Usually Cost?

Costs vary based on several factors.

Time of day is one of the biggest influences. For example, late-night or weekend callouts may cost more. The lock type and complexity of the job also affect pricing. But a good, professional locksmith will explain any pricing before work begins. In this scenario, clarity upfront matters more than the lowest price.

How to Reduce the Risk of Future Lockouts

• Give a spare key to a family friend, trusted friend or neighbour.
• Check your locks regularly for stiffness or wear
• Smart locks may help some households

Final Thoughts

Being locked out feels super stressful in the moment. But it’s a common and manageable situation. Staying calm removes much of the anxiety and helps avoid any poor decisions that can lead to damage to your property or even injury to yourself.

Remember, professional locksmiths solve these problems every day. To those in the know, the process is usually straightforward and easily remedied.

Able Group provide a range of services to help keep your locks in top shape. From lock servicing to repairs and replacements, give us a call on 0330 017 3062 to speak to one of our team members. We’ll assess the situation and give you a no-obligation quote over the phone.

And if it’s an emergency, don’t worry. We know how important it is to have someone you can rely on, so we’re here 24/7 to help with your lock problem.