Locked out of your house: what to do first
A few calm minutes can save you a broken window and a bigger bill: what to check, who to call, and what to do once you're back in
Updated
It happens to almost everyone eventually, and a few calm minutes can save you a broken window and a bigger bill
Check the other ways in, safely
Try the back door, a side door, or a garage door you might have left unlocked
Don't climb to upper windows, and don't force a window or a door, because a broken frame costs more to fix than a lockout
Think about who has a spare
A roommate, family member or neighbor may have a key, and if you rent, your landlord or property manager may be able to let you in
Call a locksmith
If there's no spare nearby, call a locksmith with your address ready and say what happened: keys inside, keys lost, or a lock that won't turn
In Philadelphia, you can reach us at (929) 756-1721, open daily from 6 am to 9 pm
Once you're back inside
- If your keys were lost or stolen, think about who might find them, because rekeying makes the old keys useless
- Leave a spare with someone you trust who lives nearby
- If the lock was hard to turn before the lockout, have it looked at before it fails completely
