Locked Out Of House? Here’s What To Do

Being locked out of your house can be a frustrating and stressful experience, regardless of whether you’re in a rush or not. Whether you misplaced your keys, left them inside the house or the lock is malfunctioning, if you find yourself locked out, it will leave a cloud handing over you as you begin to worry. However, there are steps you can take to regain access to your home quickly and get your day back on track. 

In this article, our team at Lock & Key Centre will guide you through the necessary actions to take when faced with a locked door, as well as provide essential tips to prevent future lockouts to save you time and stress.

Call a locksmith

When you find yourself locked out of your house, the first and most sensible step is to call a professional locksmith. It is not recommended that you trouble the police or fire brigade in this situation unless there is some other danger, such as a fire or a threat to someone’s well-being. 

Here at Lock & Key Centre, our locksmiths are trained and equipped to handle a wide variety of lock-related problems, providing you with a reliable and rapid solution when you’ve lost your keys or locked yourself out of your property. We possess the necessary expertise and specialised tools necessary to unlock doors without causing damage.

All it takes is one quick phone call and we’ll be with you as quickly as possible to help you in your moment of need.

How much does it cost for a locksmith to unlock your door?

Most people will, quite sensibly, look to get a quote for the work associated with getting back into a property when they’ve been locked out or need replacement locks. However, the varied complexity of locks in use today means it’s difficult to give an exact cost for such a service. 

Consider that a locksmith required in the middle of the night may cost more than during the daytime, while the requirement for replacing the locks is also different to simply unlocking the door.

That’s why you should always contact a reputable locksmith company, such as Lock and Key Centre, for an accurate quote tailored to your needs.

How long does it take for a locksmith to unlock a door?

You’ll be pleased to know that the average time it takes for a professional locksmith to unlock a standard door is around 30 minutes*. However, a lot depends on the complexity of the lock. Anti-snap locks, for example, require specialist tools and may take longer to open, while unlocking a standard euro cylinder lock will be much faster.

*Please note that this is only a rough estimate and each individual situation will require assessment before a timescale can be provided.

How to prevent being locked out of your house

A little caution and forward planning is always better than finding yourself locked out. Here are some practical, preventative tips to help you avoid the inconvenience and frustration of being locked out of your house:

Key duplicates

Consider making duplicates of your keys and entrusting them to family members or close friends you can rely on. This way, even if you misplace your keys or forget them inside, you can quickly retrieve a spare.

Keychain reminder

Attach a brightly coloured or distinct keychain to your house keys. This simple visual cue can help remind you to grab your keys before leaving the house. 

Routine checks

Before leaving your home, make it a habit to double-check that you have your keys with you. Develop a routine of ensuring your keys are in your possession before closing the door. A quick pat of your pockets could save you a lot of time and hassle.

While some people choose to hide a key outside of their home for this type of emergency, it’s not something we recommend as it compromises the security of your property. Regardless of how well you think you’ve hidden your key, you never know who might accidentally stumble upon it or see you using it.

What not to do if you’re locked out of your house

If you do happen to find yourself locked out of your property, the most important thing to do is remain calm. If you become panicked and make rash decisions, you may only make the situation worse. Always avoid the following things:

Forcing entry

Whether you try to force your way back in by breaking a window or a door, there are so many risks involved. Not only will you cause a lot of costly damage to the property, but you may also injure yourself in the process. Your behaviour may also cause suspicion amongst neighbours if they see a broken door or window, drawing unwanted attention.

Amateur lock picking

We’ve all seen how easy they make it look in films and on television, but picking a lock isn’t as simple as it seems. You’re only likely to block the lock and damage the mechanism this way, so leave it to the professional locksmiths to avoid any further complications to your situation.

At Lock & Key Centre, we understand the frustration of being locked out of your house. Our team of skilled locksmiths is available 24/7 to assist you in gaining access to your property swiftly and securely. With our expertise and commitment to customer satisfaction, we ensure a hassle-free experience when you find yourself locked out.

Don’t let a lockout ruin your day. Contact us at Lock & Key Centre today for reliable and professional locksmith services in Buckinghamshire – including Aylesbury and Milton Keynes. Our team is ready to help you regain access to your home quickly and safely, allowing you to get on with your day.