There’s no way around the fact that being locked out of anywhere – your home, your office, your car – simply stinks. It’s a major waste of time, and a major stress boost. However, if you prepare in the proper fashion you’re never going to get locked out again. Here’s a list of strategies key-holders can implement to prevent getting locked out; simply choose which of them works for you, and apply it to your life, to avoid ever having to deal with a lockout.
Check your Purse, Pat your Pockets
Before you leave your house (or anywhere for that matter) check to see if you have all your essential items with you. You want to make sure that you have your phone, wallet, and keys. Depending on how you dress this might be a matter of checking all your pockets, or looking inside a purse, messenger bag, or backpack. This technique prevents forgetting keys, or any items you may need.
Keep a Spare Key
NOT UNDER A FAKE ROCK. We recommend leaving an extra key at a friend or neighbor’s house that you can use in emergencies. If you choose to hide the key on your property, hide it in a very inconvenient place. Seek an area that’s secure or not easily seen. If you decide to hide your key under a plant, or even the aforementioned fake rock, make sure that there are other plants or rocks on your property, so your hiding spot won’t be as conspicuous.
Keep your Keys in the same spot
Don’t simply leave your keys on any random surface. Try assigning a specific pocket to keep keys in so that you can always know where they are. Don’t ever just leave them out in the open, and if you lend them to a friend, make sure to get them back.
Call a Locksmith
If you find yourself truly locked out, you should contact a locksmith. This is an option to be exercised instead of trying to manually break into your door or window – irrational actions that will compromise the future security of your home – not to mention what’s in your wallet. Locksmiths provide a more affordable and rational way to restore your entry back to your property.
Replace Shoddy Locks
If your lock isn’t working properly, you can get locked out even if you remember your keys. Even if a shoddy lock opens and shuts, the continued use of it will damage keys over time to the point of rendering them unusable. If a key breaks inside a lock, even having a spare won’t help. Avoid being stranded on your porch by making sure your locks work correctly.
Don’t Duplicate ‘Do Not Duplicate’ Keys
The more that you copy keys that aren’t meant to be copied, the farther the copied keys will be from the quality of the original. If you keep copying ‘Do Not Duplicate’ keys, you might realize one day that the new key doesn’t work at all. That’s the reason all spare keys should be copied from the original, not copies.
At least one of these strategies should help you ensure that you’re not standing outside helplessly locked out. It’s important to consider any potential security flaws of your home and tailor a specific strategy directly to your needs. Make sure to take the necessary precautions to both keep your home safe, and to ensure that you can access it whenever you want.