Lockouts from homes will occasionally happen, caused by our carelessness or other causes beyond our control. But we all know that being locked out is a stressful experience.
How to Prevent Getting Locked Out of Your Home
In more serious cases and emergencies, a lockout can be life-threatening. It could also lead to the damage of many valuables and properties if due action is not carried out at the appropriate time.
To ensure that you never have to face the frustration of being locked out of your home, here are some ways to keep you in charge and help you avoid being locked out.
1. Always Double-Check
A double-check is probably the simplest yet most overlooked thing that people do when leaving their homes or workplaces. Performing a double-check of your keys before leaving your home or workplace will ensure that you do not leave them lying indoors before locking up. Continue double-checking until it becomes a habit or uses visual and virtual reminders.
You can set a reminder on your phone to alert you ten minutes before you leave, so you remember to check for your keys. You can also hang your keys near your door, making them the last thing you see before shutting the door, so you remember to grab them before leaving the house.
2. Use A Spare Key
Most people don’t have spares for their locks but in the long list of things to have extra keys for, apartment and house keys are number one on the list.
To get started, visit a local locksmith to get a spare key made from your original key. By having an extra key, you can gain access to the duplicate if you lose the original.
3. Hide A Spare Key In A Lockbox
Many people hide a key outside their homes to avoid getting locked out. If they ever do get locked out, the key is readily available somewhere outside. But having a loose key won’t provide total confidence in your safety. Burglars are well aware of all the hidden key solutions, and they also know the most common places people use to hide their keys in.
Instead of hiding a key – use a lockbox and keep a key inside. Ensure everyone living in the house knows the combination. The lockbox will guarantee access in case of emergencies and protection from intruders.
4. Give Someone You Trust A Key
Do you have trustworthy neighbors or family that lives nearby? If so, give them a spare key. Ideally, this person lives relatively close to so you won’t have to spend much time outside of your home.
With your neighbor or family member having a spare key, they help you get inside during a lockout, and they can also check in on your house when you’re away during the holidays or on vacation.
Make sure this person is trustworthy as you will be giving them access to your home. If you have any doubt, you should not give them a key to your home, and instead use an alternative solution.
5. Use a Key Finder
If your memory seems to slip from time to time, having a key finder could help you from locking yourself out of the house. There are several key finders, which can be activated by your voice, clapping, or an app on your phone.
6. Use a Smart Lock
The outside of your lock is clean, but is the inside of your lock being maintained too? One of the most important yet most commonly overlooked maintenance factors is lubricating your door locks.
At A Carolina Locksmith, we don’t recommend petroleum-based products. Graphite lubricants can work well, but we recommend Teflon and other dry lubricants because they are the best and easiest to apply.
Spray a small amount of lubricant into the keyway. After spraying the lubricant inside the lock, move your key in and out of the lock. Each time you remove the key, remove any debris off it before you place it back in the lock. Use this method to lubricate your locks at least once a year.
6. Copy Keys From an Original
Modern security technology makes it easier than ever to secure your home. Adopting a newer means of security, like a smart lock, can help when it comes to entry and exit.
A smart lock requires homeowners to use a numeric or alphanumeric password that can easily be memorized. Digital locks and smart locks also do not need keys and offer easier ways to lessen the chances of a lockout.
7. Have A Local Locksmith Ahead Of Time
Instead of waiting until you get locked out of your house or another emergency, be proactive about finding a locksmith you can trust. Spend time researching locksmiths, and add their contact information to your phone to have it with you when you need it most.
No one truly knows when these emergencies will happen, but by preparing ahead of time, you can save time, effort, and stress when you are locked out.
For more tips to prevent getting locked out of your home, talk to the security experts at A Carolina Locksmith today. With more than 25 years’ experience helping North Carolina homeowners, Your Security is Our Top Priority.