3 things to do when you’re locked out

Locked yourself out of the house? It’s not unheard of and – here at NLS Security – we’ve had our fair share of dealing with lockouts in Newcastle and the surrounding areas.

A lockout can pose a serious problem, especially if you don’t have a spare key and have little ones inside who need your help. Sure, you could try and break the lock yourself by kicking the door down or smash a window so you can turn the lock from the inside, but you risk causing unnecessary (and costly!) damage to your door and lock – not to mention yourself.

So, what should you do if you lock yourself out of the house?

Here we take a look at 3 steps you can take to get back into your property quickly – ensuring minimal damage:

1. Check for unlocked windows or doors

Although open windows and unlocked doors are invitations to invaders and can compromise your security, they can get you out of a tough situation when you’ve accidentally locked yourself out.

So, before you start panicking, it’s worth checking all the entrances to your home. You may find that the kitchen window is open and you’ll be able to shimmy through, or perhaps you had unintentionally left the back door unlocked. If you’re entering via the window, be careful. There’s a good chance you’ll be off-balance when you land, so make sure you keep an eye out for furniture that’s stable enough to support you on the way down – and be mindful of sharp table corners and expensive TVs!

2. Call for help

Ask yourself if there is anyone who could come and let you in. We’re talking friends or family? A roommate or neighbour?

If you rent your house, try reaching out to your landlord as the chances are they will have a copy of your house key and might be able to come to your rescue.

Alternatively, if you live in an apartment complex, it’s worth calling in at the manager’s office and asking if they can help you. But we must warn you that they may charge a lockout fee and you will need to provide some form of ID and evidence that you live in the complex.

3. Call a locksmith

Ok, so calling for a locksmith in Newcastle isn’t the cheapest option, but they know all the tricks of the trade and will be able to open your doors without damaging the door or lock. You can find out more about the cost of a locksmith in our blog ‘ How much do locksmiths charge? ’.

If you’re locked out without a key – either because you’ve lost it or you forget to pick it up on your way out to work – or you’re stranded outside your house late at night or in the early hours of the morning, you will need a 24-hour emergency locksmith. Luckily, we provide a 24-hour emergency call-out service at NLS Security and can send one of our Newcastle locksmiths in your moment of need.

The time it takes to unlock your door depends on the type of lock you have fitted (e.g. a basic euro cylinder won’t take as long as a high-security anti-snap lock which will require specialist tools). But our MLA (Master Locksmith Association) approved locksmiths will do their utmost to resolve the problem – allowing you to re-enter your property with as little inconvenience as possible.

For more information about our locksmith services , or to employ the expertise of a locksmith in Newcastle, call 0191 238 6000 and we will be more than happy to help.