Locked Out? Here’s What to Do

2nd June 2024

You’re putting the rubbish out and the wind blows the door shut. The problem is your keys are inside.

Getting locked out of your home isn’t fun.

First, don’t panic. You’ll get further with calm, rational thinking than blind panic. For example, if you’ve lost your keys, try retracing your steps or calling up places you’ve been and possibly left your keys behind.

Don’t Break In… or Do?

Perhaps you’ve left something cooking in the oven, perhaps there’s a young child inside. There are plenty of reasons why you might try to break into your own home if you’re locked out don’t break into your door locks.

To start, know that breaking into your own house is perfectly legal, unless it’s a communal area in a flat block or similar, or you’re renting. Try to remain calm so you can think about rational solutions.

But when you break in, the damage you cause is likely to cost more than calling a locksmith. You might also injure yourself from broken glass or from attempting to kick a door down, which in any case is always easier in the movies than in real life.

If you’re seen trying to force your way in, passers-by won’t necessarily know it’s your home, mistake you for a burglar and could call the police.

You want to avoid any confusion and not take up the police’s time.

Unless there is some sort of serious emergency where you need to get back in as soon as possible, you probably just need to try a few other options.

Do Not Call the Emergency Services

Every year the London Fire Brigade spends millions on callouts to people locked out. And only a very, very small fraction are genuine emergencies.

Unless you’re looking at a medical emergency, a fire or a crime is taking place, being locked out is not something the emergency services will help with.

While distressing, a lockout is not an emergency and just ties up the police and fire brigade’s already stretched resources.

Calling an Emergency Locksmith

An emergency locksmiths service is usually available round the clock and can be with you within the hour.

So, unless there’s a genuine, time critical emergency an emergency locksmith is your best bet. Not only can they arrive quickly, but a good locksmith will also keep the damage that might occur when you’re trying to get back into your property to a minimum.

But, if you’ve smashed a window, don’t worry. Local glaziers can repair or replace any smashed glass or fix a damaged door. It’s likely they’ll be able to board up the windows too, keeping your home temporarily safe and secure, so you have the time to arrange a full repair.

Preventing Future Lock Outs

While you can’t predict the future, you can take a few proactive measures to reduce the risks of you getting locked out, or dealing with it if it happens again.

Spare keys are always an easy solution. You could leave them with a neighbour or friend you trust, or nearby relative.

Don’t leave a spare key under a mat or in a plant pot. Experienced burglars know all the tricks.

You can also try some ‘smart’ measures such as keyless door entry and tracking key fobs.

You can also consider making checks for your keys part of a specific routine whenever you leave the house.

Final Thoughts

Finding yourself locked out can be a stressful situation, but there are steps you can take to resolve it. Firstly, and perhaps the most important thing is to remain calm and assess your options. Think about where there might be a spare key or alternative entry points.

If you can’t get inside, call an emergency locksmith or try the property manager if it’s a block of flats. It’s often the most reliable solution.

Breaking into your own property isn’t illegal but remember to put your safety first and avoid risky DIY attempts that could cause worse damage than calling a professional.

And only ever call the emergency services as a last resort. They aren’t meant for lockouts, so unless it’s a genuine emergency such as a medical issue, fire or crime don’t waste their precious resources with a simple lockout situation.