Your family’s safety is, understandably, your number one priority.
We all want to sleep peacefully at night, confident that our homes, loved ones, and possessions are safe from intruders and opportunistic thieves. We spend a lot of time and money on home security systems, but we rarely spare a thought for a time when we may need to break into our own homes.
Accidentally getting locked out of the house is annoying, embarrassing, and super frustrating if you are on a tight schedule. If you find yourself in a situation like this, do not panic – all is not lost.
Below are five things to do to help get you out of this predicament:
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Call For Help
The first prize in a situation like this is to either have someone else in the house who can come to your rescue or have your phone in your pocket. If it is the former, hopefully, said person is not your sulky teenager listening to deafening music on their headphones.
If you are in luck, think of a way to get their attention. Do not throw rocks or attempt to kick your door down SWAT-style – knocking or tapping on a window or door should work.
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NOT 911
If you locked yourself out while going to get the mail and you left your stove on, check for smoke, and ask one of your neighbors to call 911 if anything catches alight – especially if there are small children or pets inside.
The police or fire department will not come to your rescue unless you are in an actual emergency or if one will develop imminently.
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Locksmith
When time is of the essence, or you have exhausted all other options – call reputable professionals like American Best Locksmith. Emergency locksmiths can fix your problem in just a few minutes, and they will not damage your door.
Do not try to be a hero and scale walls or climb onto the roof, all that will do is get you hurt -it is not worth it, and it will extend your frustrating experience to boot.
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Landlord
If you are a renter, your landlord will probably have a spare key to get you out of your pickle.
The same applies if you live in an apartment block – get hold of your building manager for assistance. In the future, get a spare key and leave it with a trusted neighbor or friend.
If you do not have such a person near you, you can hide the spare key in your garden – but make sure that no one is watching you and only you know where to find it.
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Open Windows or Doors
While breaking into your home is not recommended because you could get reported and end up awkwardly explaining yourself to strangers, an open window is not the same.
Most people ensure that the windows and doors are firmly shut and locked; it does not hurt to check. Do a quick sweep around the property – and if you find one, it is your lucky day!
It is essential to get into the habit of closing windows and doors before you leave; it is just safer that way.
To End
Accidents happen from time to time, so do not beat yourself up about it if this happens to you.
Instead, take a deep breath and remember what you learned here today. If you stay calm and collected, you can get back inside in no time!
