What To Do If you get Locked out of Your Own House?
Picture this! You are on your way home after a hectic day at work. Your significant other calls you to let you know that they are caught up in something important and won’t be home till late. You stop by the local Japanese restaurant and pick up some sushi, anticipating a relaxing evening of Netflix and chill. You reach home and it is only then that you realize, you forgot to take your keys with you that morning, and are effectively locked out of your own home.
Let’s face it, this, or a similar scenario, has happened to almost all of us. It is easy to forget your keys when you are leaving your home, especially if you are not the last one to leave in the morning.
Being locked out of your house is not a good experience, particularly if you live alone. It can be scary, leaving you feel vulnerable and awkward. While it is not the worst possible thing, it is no less of a nuisance. Here are a few things to keep in mind for the next time you get locked out of your home.
Keep a Spare Set of Keys with Someone You Trust
This could be a family member, friend, neighbour, or you landlord. If you share your home with other people, just give them a call to see if they are close enough to drop by the key for you. Most landlords also keep a separate set of keys. You might also gave given a set of keys to you hired help, like the maid, babysitter, dog sitter, house sitter, or someone else close to you. Call these people to see if they could help you get back into your home.
Jimmy the Lock with Plastic Money
It is possible to jimmy some locks open with the help of any credit, debit, or ID card that is made of thick hard plastic. The card must be form and rigid for this trick to work. All you need to do is insert your card in between the door and the frame at the point where the lock is. Once in place, jimmy the card against the door and push the door handle down with some force. It should open.
Call a Professional Emergency Locksmith
Before you give up and try to break down the door, or consider taking apart your door lock, consider calling a professional to solve this problem. Use your phone to find local locksmiths near you, or click here if you’re from London to access a comprehensive list. These professionals will drive out to your home and help you get back in. Professionals make this rather easy, as locksmiths are usually well prepared.
They have special tools that allow them to make short work of locked doors without keys. The way a professional opens a locked door keeps the integrity of the lock intact, meaning the doorknob or lock won’t need to be replaced.
While it is always good to have friends and family who have a set of keys for you, and it doesn’t hurt to try and jimmy open a locked door with a credit card, your best bet is to get a locksmith to do it for you.
You May Also Enjoy
More affordable locations grew most in price in 2025
UK Gov announcement capping ground rents at £250
Landlords behind the curve on tax changes, and tenants could pay the price
Rental Inflation Grinds to a Halt as Rent Controls Arrive in Scotland
Buying schemes remain in high demand but short supply across England
