HERE’S WHAT TO DO

SO YOU’LL NEVER BE

LOCKED OUT AGAIN!

It’s so irritating and inconvenient to be locked out, particularly after dark. But there’s no reason you should ever find yourself locked out in the future, if you put some logical strategies in place now. Put these principles into daily practice, and you’ll never be locked out again:

Replace any faulty locks. Keep an eye on your locks, and upgrade them when needed. If you encounter any locks that become hard to open, the key may break inside the lock mechanism, preventing you from entering. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t copy keys that are already duplicates, because they eventually won’t work. If you have any locks that are too worn out, they will jam up.

Always keep track of where your keys are. If you walk out and realize you’ve forgotten something, and you need to go back inside to fetch it, don’t put your keys down! Don’t leave them on the kitchen counter! Keep your keys in your hand or your pocket. Furthermore, if you lend a spare key to someone, always get it back as soon as you can. If you retrieve your key from a hiding place, return it right away.

Keys, phone, and wallet. This has to be your standard mantra going forward, each time you walk out the door. Make it your routine. Stop. Remind yourself: Keys, phone, and wallet. Add a pat-down, check your pockets, and check your purse or pack. (When you get into this habit, you may decide to add a few more items to your list, such as: driving glasses, sunglasses, reading glasses, and so on.)

Store your extra key in a logical hiding place. Keeping a key under your flower pot, on top of the door frame, or under the mat is a bad idea. Every prowler already knows to look in these places first. Even the keyholders that are fake rocks are mostly pointless. Instead, give a spare key to a trusted neighbor. Ideally, it’s better to choose someone who stays at home most of the time.

Are you more adventurous? Carry a fake credit card. Keep an expired gift card, or one of those sample ones from junk mail. Don’t use a real one, because it will get ruined. It’s not as easy as it goes in the movies, but it might work ~ that is, if you don’t have a deadbolt. You have to have a bored door lock, with the sloped ridge of the bolt facing toward you. (If the door opens towards you, then the bolt’s probably facing the wrong way.) If the bolt is the correct type, and facing the right way, place the card in the gap between the door and the jamb above the bolt. Gently slide the card down between the bolt and the strike plate. Push the card, then push the door, and, perhaps the door will open, and you’ll leave everything (except the card, of course) undamaged. If you’re really bold, take a pick set with you. You can do so only if your state and local laws allow it. Not every lock can be picked, but it’s worth a shot. Besides, some day you may be able to help someone else who’s locked out.

Locate a reputable locksmith before you get in trouble. The best way to find a legitimate locksmith is to track one down ahead of time, before you need one. Do your research, so you won’t get scammed or overcharged. Ask family, friends, and colleagues for recommendations. A good way to find the right locksmith is through word of mouth from satisfied customers.

Find a local, reliable locksmith. Write down locksmith companies in your area, with phone numbers and addresses. Find locksmiths who specialize in the services you’re seeking. Match up the business addresses with the phone numbers using the Web. A dishonest company will sometimes list a false address, or none at all, claiming to be local. If a person answers the phone with a basic greeting such as “locksmith services,” find out what the legal business name is. If that person won’t tell you, go on to the next one on your list. Note that some reputable locksmith companies simply may not include a street address because they run a mobile business, so they can dispatch a professional locksmith who’s local to each customer. Accordingly, ask why the address isn’t listed.

Verify the locksmith’s credentials. When your locksmith arrives, request identification, a business card, and proof of license. The invoice should include the name of the company. The truck ought to have the company name on it too, matching the invoice and business card. The locksmith must also ask for your identification. Before beginning any work, a locksmith must absolutely verify your identity and confirm that you’re the rightful property owner.

Be doubtful if a locksmith claims you’re going to have to replace or drill your lock just because you’re locked out. A genuine locksmith professional will carry the right tools, and possess the knowhow to tell you that such drastic moves would be overkill. A real expert locksmith is able to unlock almost anything.

When you’ve found a dependable locksmith, keep the contact information in a sensible place, such as your wallet, your smart device, on your refrigerator, or on the break room bulletin board at your business ~ so you’ll always be able to get yourself out of trouble fast. The best locksmiths will be happy to answer all your questions.

Are you locked out right now? If you don’t have a hidden spare key or friend or neighbor who has one, then look around. Maybe you left another door or window open. Perhaps you didn’t even lock the door correctly in the first place.

If all else fails, then hire a locksmith! It’s tempting to entertain the idea of kicking in the door or breaking a window. But should you risk being mistaken for a burglar? Not a good idea. To avoid this lousy predicament in times to come, plan ahead!