It happens more often than you would think. You pop out to the shop, the door closes behind you, and your keys are sitting on the kitchen table. Or the lock jams and the key will not turn no matter what you try. Or you come home late and realise the keys are in your other coat.
Whatever the reason, being locked out of your own home is stressful. Here is a practical guide to what you should do, and what you definitely should not do, if it happens to you in Medway.
What NOT to do
- Do not try to force the door. Kicking it, shouldering it, or trying to lever it open with a screwdriver will almost certainly damage the door, the frame, or both. You will end up needing a locksmith AND a door repair, which costs significantly more than just the locksmith.
- Do not try to pick the lock yourself. YouTube makes it look easy. It is not. You are more likely to damage the lock mechanism, making it harder and more expensive for a locksmith to get you in afterwards.
- Do not climb through windows. It sounds obvious, but people do try this. Aside from the risk of injury, a neighbour who sees someone climbing into a window will quite reasonably call the police.
- Do not call the first number you find online without checking. Unfortunately, some “locksmith” companies listed online are call centres that dispatch untrained people at inflated prices. Look for a local, named business with genuine reviews.
What to do instead
- Check all other entry points first. Is the back door unlocked? Is there a window ajar? Is there a spare key with a neighbour? It is worth spending two minutes checking before making any calls.
- Call a local locksmith. A good locksmith can usually reach you within 30 minutes in the Medway area and get you back inside without damaging the lock. Most standard lockouts take between 5 and 15 minutes to resolve.
- Have proof of address ready if you can. A locksmith should ask you to prove you live at the property before letting you in. A driving licence, utility bill, or even a letter with your name and address will speed things up. If you do not have ID on you, do not worry, there are other ways to verify, but it helps.
How a locksmith gets you back in
If you have simply pulled the door shut with the keys inside, a locksmith will typically use non-destructive entry techniques to open the door without touching the lock. This means you get back in, the lock is undamaged, and there is nothing to replace.
If the lock has actually failed, for example the key has snapped inside, the mechanism has seized, or the cylinder has broken, the locksmith will need to open the lock and replace it. A good locksmith will carry common replacement locks in their van so this can be done on the spot.
How to avoid it happening again
- Keep a spare key with a trusted neighbour or family member nearby
- Consider a key safe fitted discreetly outside your property
- Get into the habit of checking for keys before closing the door
- If your lock is starting to play up, get it looked at before it fails completely
We attend lockouts across Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham, Strood, Rainham and the wider Medway area, day and night. If you are locked out, call us and we will get you back in.
