What Homeowners Can Do When They Lose Their House Keys

It’s always a good idea to have a spare set of keys around the house to prevent a lockout from happening.

When arriving home after a long day at work, no homeowner wants to discover they can’t get into their house because they have lost their keys. They may feel several emotions at that moment, such as frustration or anger. And the last thing they could want is to pay a bill for damage repair from damaging the property to get into the house.

Homeowners need a professional service to help them get into their homes when locked out. A locksmith can easily unlock the front or back door and save time and grief. However, if a homeowner wants to do it themself, there are a few things to try before calling in the professional.

Safety

Make sure the location is safe, especially at night. Nothing is more important than a person’s well-being, so ensure no one is around wishing harm before searching for the keys.

Check for a spare

It’s always a good idea to have a spare set of keys around the house to prevent a lockout from happening. If there is one but the homeowner can’t find it at the moment, look under the doormat. That’s the most accessible place to keep them since it’s easy to remember their location.

Check for an unlocked window

There may still be an unlocked window or another opening in the house to climb through. For leverage, look for boxes or garbage bins around the side of the house.

Try removing the door knob

Some knobs can easily be pried off, like a circular knob. Should a homeowner decide to try this, they need to use caution as they can break the door handle. Then, they have a second problem on their hands.

Use a bobby pin or a poker card

For handy homeowners, use a bobby pin to manipulate the pins inside the lock to grant access. If that doesn’t work, try sliding a classic playing card down the side to push the lock aside if the door is not properly locked.

When in doubt, call a locksmith

When all options are exhausted, it’s time to get a locksmith to unlock the door. Locksmiths are professionals at picking locks and making keys, so they can help open the door carefully.

Additionally, the locksmith can cut an extra key while they are on-site or change the lock afterward.

National Lock & Key is a licensed, insured, full-service commercial and residential locksmith serving Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. Contact us at (571) 351-1012.