Locked Out of the House? Here's What NOT to Do

When you finish work for the day, you probably just want to get home and relax as soon as you can. So nothing quite compared to the distress and frustration you'll feel when something stops you from being able to do just that.

If you get locked out of your house, it can take time for it to sink in, as you're so used to being able to come and go without problems. When it does, it's not a nice feeling.

There are a few reasons you might be locked out, too. Maybe you locked your keys indoors, or your key has snapped in the lock. Perhaps, for some reason, it's just not working, no matter how hard you try. When the panic sets in, it's easy to do things that will make the situation worse, so try to stay calm enough to avoid these mistakes:

Forcing the key

If for some reason, the key won't turn properly in the lock, there's probably not much you can do about it until it's checked and repaired. Unfortunately, it can be tempting to think if you can just turn it a bit harder it will work.

What's more likely to happen, however, is that your key will snap, leaving half of it in the lock. This makes the repair job more difficult for the locksmith and means you're down a key. If it won't open with normal pressure, wait for someone to come and help you.

Dismantling the lock

If you've never taken a lock apart or removed a door handle before, you're in for a shock. They're intricate, complex pieces of equipment and, if you don't know what you're doing, you'll end up with an expensive mess on your hands. Just leave it where it is.

Trying the "credit card trick"

People on TV can open locked doors with a credit card. If you try this in real life, however, you'll probably just snap your card in two. And you'll still be locked out.

Climbing up to a high window

Unless you have a good quality ladder and the ability to use it safely, stay away from the open window. Trying to scale a drainpipe or use other superhero tactics to get inside will land you in the hospital.

Lockpicking with a hairpin

If locks were that easy to open, they would be useless. Trying to pick one with a hairpin, paperclip or anything else you have on you will just damage the lock more than it already is and possibly increases the cost of the locksmith repairs.

Contact local lockout services for more information and assistance.