You locked the front door to your home and realized to your utter dismay that you don’t have your keys. While feelings of panic are normal in these situations, take a moment to breathe and consider your next steps. The seasoned locksmiths at Cohen’s Key Shop in New Haven County, CT, offer the following tips to get you back inside quickly.

How to Handle a Lockout

Check All Other Doors

Check the back door, side doors, and all other entrances to your home, such as the garage door. A family member may have left a door unlocked so you can easily enter the house and retrieve your keys.

Look for Open Windows

Look for open ground floor windows if all other entrances to your residence are locked. While leaving windows unlocked is never recommended for security reasons, it is still possible for you or a household member to close windows incorrectly without realizing it. Check each applicable window for possible entry.

Use a Credit Card

Use an old credit card to open the door if the lock in question is a spring bolt. Flexible plastic cards work on these locks only, not on deadbolts. Place the card between the door and door jamb and wiggle it in hopes of pushing the lock back.

Call a Roommate, Friend, Family Member, Landlord

Call your family members, roommates, nearby friends with keys, or your landlord if you rent. It is always a good idea to make copies of your keys and place them with those you trust, whether you live alone or not.

Contact a Locksmith

Contact a local expert if none of the above options work or are feasible. Locksmiths have the tools and knowledge to unlock your door quickly and easily. letting you get back to your daily tasks. 

Consider keeping spare keys in inconspicuous places on your property to prevent future lockouts. When you need to call a locksmith for help, contact the team at Cohen’s Key Shop. They also provide lock repair, key duplication, lock installation, and rekeying services for your convenience and peace of mind. The company has served New Haven County since 1897. Call (203) 397-3528 or visit the experts online for more information on their services.