Being locked out of your apartment is complicated because you must call your landlord or the complex to open it for you. This can take hours out of your day if the office isn’t open. To ensure lockouts don’t happen in the future, consider the following tips. 

How to Avoid Getting Locked Out of Your Apartment

1. Have Your Keys In Hand

Instead of putting your keys in your purse, pocket, or bag before leaving the house, place them in your hand and stare at them as you go. When you do a task often, like putting your cellphone in the right pocket of a jacket, the idea that it’s there becomes natural, even when it isn’t. To break this habit, keep the keys in your hands until you leave, and then place them somewhere safe.

2. Keep a Spare Key

Get a spare key made by a locksmith, so you have another way of getting into your apartment without calling your landlord. Keep the spare key under the mat near your front door.

If that makes you nervous, place a keypad that hangs from your doorknob that contains the extra key inside. If someone steals the keypad, they still can’t enter your home. 

3. Install a Keyless Lock

Landlords spend considerable time letting in people who lock themselves out of their apartment due to misplaced keys. Asking your landlord to install a keyless lock, may work if you explain the benefits of reducing lockouts. A locksmith can install these on all units in the apartment building, which will allow your landlord to spend more time on other tasks. Unless you forget your code, you’ll never deal with a lockout again. 

If you’re facing a lockout from your apartment building or unit, and you cannot contact your landlord, call A-Okay Lock & Key Inc, in St. Peters, MO. These locally owned locksmiths have helped their customers get back into their homes for over 30 years. They provide 24/7 emergency service, so you won’t have to sleep in your car the next time you’re locked out. Call (636) 441-1190 to speak to a representative, or visit the website to learn more about their services.