What should I do if I'm locked out of my house?
Look for a spare key first: a partner, family member, trusted neighbour or, if you rent, your landlord or letting agent. Check any other door you can reach safely, but do not force a window or door, because the damage can cost more than a locksmith. If there is no spare key, call a 24/7 emergency locksmith and ask for an arrival estimate.
What should I try first?
Think through who holds a key: anyone you live with, family nearby, a neighbour you trust, or your landlord or letting agent if you rent. Check the back door, patio door or any other door you can reach without climbing. If a child or vulnerable person is inside and at risk, call 999 rather than waiting.
Avoid forcing your way in. A broken window or a levered door can cost more to repair than the call-out it was meant to save, and it can leave the property insecure overnight.
What proof do I need for a locksmith?
Expect a reputable locksmith to ask for proof that you live at the property, such as ID showing the address, before opening the door. It protects you as much as anyone. Ask about cost when you call, before anyone sets out.
If the lock has to be replaced to get you in, the new one should be at least as secure as the old. Locks & Alarms Ltd fits anti-drill and anti-snap cylinders as standard on replacement locks, and the engineer explains the choice between repair and replacement before work starts.
How do I stop it happening again?
Leave a spare key with someone you trust rather than under a mat or plant pot, which is the first place anyone would look. If carrying several keys is the problem, a keyed-alike system lets one key open every external door, and smart locks and code locks remove the key altogether.
Locks & Alarms Ltd runs a 24/7 emergency locksmith call-out across Kent from its base in Crayford, and fits keyed-alike systems, smart locks and code locks as planned work. Call 01322 436084, whatever the hour.
Related service: Locksmith Services