Did you know that 28% of Americans misplace or lose their house keys at least once a week?
If you find yourself locked out of your house because you’ve lost your keys, you first need to stay calm. Next, you’ll need to put a plan in place so you can act quickly and get back into your house as soon as possible.
Keep reading this guide to learn what to do if you find yourself locked out of the house!
What to Do if You’re Locked Out of the House
You’ll need to figure out how you can get inside as soon as possible by taking steps that include:
Check All Your Doors
It’s all too easy to forget the most obvious solutions when you’re stressed out. So, be sure to go around the house and check all the doors in case you forgot to lock one of them.
This includes garage doors, patio doors, and side doors. Don’t try to force a door open, or you could hurt yourself and ruin your door in the process.
Check Windows on the First Floor
If you don’t find any unlocked doors, your next step is to check all the windows on the first floor. Chances are there is a window that you forgot to latch closed.
If you find a window that’s open enough to crawl through, you’ll need to remove the screen first. Be careful as you climb inside, so you don’t damage anything like your TV or plants.
Call Someone That Might Have an Extra Key
Did you give a friend or family member an extra key so they could housesit or water your plants? Be sure to check around for a duplicate key.
If you’re renting your home, contact your landlord for help. Most of the time, landlords have spare keys and will meet you somewhere or come over to let you in your house.
Ask Your Neighbor for Help
If you’ve lost your keys and don’t have an extra set, another option is to ask a neighbor if they have any tools you could use to get inside your home.
A coat hanger or a bobby pin may be able to open your door. If you have a spring latch and not a deadbolt, you may be able to use a credit card. You’ll need to put the credit card between the frame and the door and, at the same time, jiggle the handle and try to press it open.
Call a Locksmith
Your best option when you can’t find your keys is to call a local locksmith for help. Professional locksmith companies deal with emergencies frequently and have mobile services that can drive to help you, no matter what time of day it is.
Locksmiths have special tools and can deal with various locking systems.
They’ll also be able to make you a new key and duplicate keys. If you’re worried someone may have your keys, they can easily change your locks and make you a new set of keys.
Getting Locked Out of Your Home
Now that you know what to do if you’re ever locked out of your home, you’ll be able to fix the situation quickly and efficiently.
It’s a good idea to make extra keys so you can give them to family or a trusted friend. You could also consider hiding a duplicate key on your property.
To learn more home and lifestyle tips, be sure to check out the rest of our blog!
