If you live in the Greater Cincinnati area, you know when winter comes to expect freezing temps that make even day-to-day activities a challenge. One challenge that can become immensely frustrating is dealing with frozen door locks. Whether it’s your car, home, or office building, being stuck outside when you need to get in is both frustrating and hazardous in below-freezing temperatures. The professional team from Mr. Lock Locksmith & Security Systems provides a wide range of locksmith services for the Cincinnati area, and they’re here to give their best advice on frozen locks.

When the temperature drops below freezing, your locks can become frozen as a result of moisture that gets trapped inside. Thus, it’s counterproductive to pour more water into a lock that’s become frozen (even if the water is hot). While it might solve the immediate issue and grant you entry for now, it could cause further problems down the road.

Another thing to avoid doing is trying to force the key into the lock. You could wind up damaging the lock permanently, meaning you’ll have to replace your door locks entirely. Instead, try to warm the key as much as possible using the heat from your hands, then see if it will go into the keyhole any easier.

Of course, if you happen to have de-icer handy, it will be your best bet for un-freezing door locks. However, many people don’t think of it until it’s too late. If you have petroleum jelly on hand, you can dip the key into it and see whether it will fit into the lock.

To prevent locks from freezing in the first place, it’s a good idea to spray WD-40® on your door locks when a cold front is in the forecast. If you’re stuck and find yourself in need of locksmith services, call Mr. Lock Locksmith & Security Systems at (513) 232-2424. You can also visit the company’s website to learn more about their services. You can also find the company on Facebook and Twitter.