We’ve all been there – you step outside for just a minute, the door slams shut behind you, and panic sets in as you realise your keys are still inside. Or maybe you’re out running errands, and you get back to your car only to find the keys are missing from your pocket.
Lockouts often happen to the best of us when we least expect it. While they are a major inconvenience, the good news is professional locksmiths can get you back inside quickly and affordably.
9 Common Emergency Lockout Situations
1: Locked Out of Your Home
This one is probably the most familiar lockout scenario. Whether you got distracted and walked outside without your keys or pulled the door shut behind you without realising your keys were still inside, being locked out of your house is a nightmare. You may be tempted to try and pick the lock or force entry another way, but this often leads to damage you’ll have to pay for. The smarter move is to call a locksmith to let you in safely and rekey the locks if needed.
2: Locked Out of Your Car
Our cars practically feel like second homes, given how much time we spend in them. So getting locked out of your car, whether the doors are locked with the keys trapped inside or you’ve simply misplaced your car keys altogether, can be highly disruptive. Car lockouts are another situation where you shouldn’t try to resolve it yourself, as you could easily damage the door locks or ignition system. A car locksmith has the proper tools and training to get you back into your vehicle quickly with no damage.
3: Keys Accidentally Broken Off in Lock
This is one of those freak scenarios you never see coming. You insert your key into the lock as usual, but when you turn it, the key snaps in half, with the broken piece still stuck inside the lock cylinder. Now, you can’t open the door or get the broken key out. A locksmith has specialty tools to extract that broken key piece and get your lock working again, often by repairing or replacing the cylinder.
4: Lost or Stolen Keys
Losing your keys is incredibly frustrating, but having them stolen is even worse since it’s a security concern. Either way, you’ll likely need your locks rekeyed or replaced by a locksmith. This is especially critical if your address was on the lost/stolen key ring, as that could allow ill-intentioned people to know where you live. An automotive emergency lockouts Central Coast locksmith can also get you new keys made for your car if yours goes missing.
5: Keys Locked Inside a Safe
Whether it’s a bulky floor safe or a lockbox, if you find yourself locked out of one of these secure storage boxes with the keys trapped inside, trying to pry it open yourself is unwise and unsafe. A safe specialist locksmith has the tools and know-how to crack open the safe without damaging it, ensuring you regain access to the contents quickly.
6: Forgotten Combination on a Combination Lock
Combination locks on lockers, gates, or other access points are great until you have a mind-lapse and totally blank on the code. When this happens, you’re stuck and may need to call a locksmith specialising in cracking combination locks. They use advanced tools and techniques to decipher the combination without damaging the lock so you can reset it when you regain access.
7: Jammed Lock Due to Broken Key
Keys can break inside locks for several reasons – the key was of poor quality, the lock is old and worn, or the key got stuck when trying to force it after a misalignment. Whatever caused the key to break and jam the lock, you’ll need a professional locksmith to extract the broken piece and repair or replace the lock cylinder to restore access.
8: Children Accidentally Lock Themselves In
It happens to even the most careful parents – a child innocently presses the wrong button or turns the lock at the wrong time and suddenly finds themselves trapped inside a room, closet, or vehicle. Kids getting accidentally locked in like this is a situation no parent wants to go through. A locksmith with training for these delicate situations can get the child out safely and discreetly so you can hug them tightly.
9: Emergency Lockout When the Tenant Moves Out
When a tenant moves out, rental property owners sometimes find themselves in a challenging emergency lockout scenario. If they took the keys with them after their lease ended or got evicted, you cannot enter and need to call a locksmith. They can quickly rekey the locks so you regain control over the property again after the tenant turnover.
No matter what type of emergency lockout situation you find yourself in across the Central Coast or surrounding areas, the team at AllCoast Locksmiths has you covered 24/7.
From residential and commercial lockouts to car lockouts and everything in between, their experienced locksmiths will arrive on-site promptly to assess the situation. They utilise their advanced tools and training to get you back inside as quickly and affordably as possible. With their emergency lockout services, you’ll have access again quickly!