Locked Out: Advice on Calling a Locksmith

Being locked out of your home can be a frustrating experience. Fortunately, you can avoid it by taking a few simple precautions. These tips will help you avoid a lockout, as well as give you some advice on what to do if it does happen. 

Establish a clear key routine

Accidentally forgetting your keys is a common cause of being locked out. To prevent this, create and follow a simple routine. Always leave your keys in the same place, such as a hook or dish, and make sure you check it before leaving the house. Don't leave your keys in bags or coat pockets. If you're worried about forgetting, some kind of reminder near the door can be useful, but don't keep your keys themselves too near the door where they might be visible to a potential intruder. 

Get a spare key made

A local locksmith may key cutting services and could be able to make copies of your keys quickly and affordably. Making spare copies of your keys before you need them gives you the opportunity to fit the visit into your schedule rather than having to try to find a locksmith on short notice. 

Put your spare key somewhere secure

Once you have your spare key, you need a place to put it. Traditional hiding places include the tops of door frames, under mats and in flower pots. Avoid all of these: these places are so well-known that an intruder will easily be able to find your key. The same goes for hiding places such as false rocks; these do more to attract attention than to conceal a key. Instead of using these, you can place a key in a locked box on your property. Place the box in an out-of-the-way location; should you find yourself locked out, you can use a numerical key code to open it. Alternatively, you can simply leave the key with a trusted neighbour or friend. 

If you do get locked out

Should you find yourself locked out of your home, you'll want to be sure you have your local locksmith's number handy. The same locksmith who handled your key cutting should be able to get you in or at least recommend an emergency locksmith. Once you're in, your next step depends on whether you simply locked your keys inside or have lost them. If you've recovered your keys, you should be able to go back to normal, although it might be worth considering some changes to your routine. If you've lost your keys, you may need to make some changes to your home's security; again, your locksmith should be able to advise you.