How to get back inside a locked house: a simple guide

So you’re finally home from work, rummaging around your bag for your house keys - only to find out they’re not there! Even if you remember putting them in the pocket. You check your clothes, your car, and the plant pot where you recall keeping a spare key. So what do you do now that you’re locked out of your house?

Take a deep breath and stay calm. You’re not the first (or last) person to go through this! Read on to learn what to do when locked out of the house. 

What to do when you’ve been locked out of the house

Option 1: Call a family member, friend, roommate, or your landlord

This is the easiest thing to do in case you find yourself locked out of your house without a key. Simply call a family member, roommate, or neighbour with an extra set of keys to your home and let them know you need help getting back inside. It’s also a good idea to give a spare key to a trusted friend so you know who to call in case you find yourself locked out of your house or in some other emergency.

If you’re a renter, your landlord can also help if you’re locked out of your flat.
 

Option 2: Look for unlocked windows or doors on the first floor

Ideally, you shouldn’t leave open windows or unlocked doors whenever you leave your house since these are easy targets for burglars. But if you just so happened to leave your back door or first-floor windows unlocked, today might be your lucky day! Just make sure you do a thorough sweep of your home once you’re back inside to make sure there are no intruders or missing items. And don’t forget to check your door locks carefully next time!

Option 3: Break into your own house with improvised tools

Nowadays, most doorknobs and locking mechanisms won’t yield to these types of tricks. After all, you don’t want to be just a few paper clips away from a burglary, right?

But in a pinch, you can still try breaking into your own house using these tricks:

• Pick and tension lever method
  
  

  • Take one bobby pin or paper clip and bend one side into an L shape to make a pick.

  • Then, take a second bobby pin and bend the top 1/3 into an L shape, this time without separating the halves of the pin. This is your tension lever.

  • Insert the lower half of the tension lever’s ‘L’ into the bottom of the door lock. Turn it to the right to apply tension. Keep pushing until you feel tension.

  • Then, take the pick and insert it above the tension lever. You should feel the doorknob’s pins inside. Keep pushing on the pick until you hear a click. Finally, turn the tension lever to the left to open the locked door. You should be able to gain entry into your house.
     

• Card method

  • Pick a hard plastic card you don’t mind destroying (e.g., an old gift card or unused rewards card, never a credit card). Insert it right at the latch.

  • Hold the card perpendicular to the door and wiggle it around. Push and bend the card away from the doorknob to separate the latch from the doorjamb.

  • Keep pushing the door while bending the card. Then, slide the card between the latch and the door frame to unlock the door.
     

• DIY doorknob removal

  • You can also try using a straightened bobby pin or paperclip to remove the doorknob.

  • Place one end of the pin or clip in the pin-sized hole right below the knob, then push as far as possible while turning the knob. This should remove the knob.

  • Then, remove the plate to uncover the lock set. Use your tool to pull the locking mechanism back and unlock your front door.
     

If you find yourself needing a new doorknob or lock after breaking back into your home, contact a locksmith near you.

Option 4: Call a local locksmith

The best person to contact if you’re locked out of the house is still a locksmith. Locksmiths carry special tools that can safely help unlock your door and get you back into your home. They can also replace doorknobs and locks or repair any damage from trying to break inside.

This is your best bet - it’s safer, easier, and doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Plus, you might just find a trusted locksmith right in your area!

What not to do when you’ve been locked out of the house

Getting locked out can be scary, especially if it happens at night or if you have young kids or pets in tow. But here’s what you should avoid doing if ever you find yourself in this scenario:

• Don’t throw rocks or bricks at a window or kick your door down trying to break into your home. Your neighbours might think you’re an intruder, you may hurt yourself, and you might end up extensively damaging your home. This may result in needing door and lock repairs or having to get your broken window repaired.

• Don’t call the police or fire department unless the lockout is connected to an actual life-threatening situation.

• Don’t attempt to access an upstairs entrance by climbing a ladder or standing on the roof. You may end up injuring yourself and causing another emergency. If ever you do consider this route, make it your last resort. 

How to prevent being locked out of your house

Once you’re back inside, it’s time to think about how you can prevent future lockouts. Some ideas you can consider are:

• Making sure your nearby family members or trusted friends have spare keys to your home. They can help you get back in your house quickly.

• Hiding a spare set of keys in the car or office. This will come in handy in case you’ve lost your original set and get locked out.

• Switching to a phone-operated smart lock or trying a keyless doorknob system instead. You can learn more about these options by contacting a door knob installer near you.

• Installing a hidden lock box. This code-operated ‘safe’ is more secure than hiding your house key under a mat, stone, or potted plant. Burglars know that most homeowners hide their spare keys in certain places, which defeats the point of locking up your house.

Get back inside your home easily with Airtasker

Getting locked out and having to break into your home doesn’t have to be scary and complicated. And contacting a trusted, affordable locksmith doesn’t have to be difficult, either. Airtasker knows these things happen, so you can easily post a task on the platform and get price quotes from experienced locksmiths shortly.