8 Keys to Make Sure You Never Lock Yourself Out Again

Getting locked out is never a fun experience. It wastes a lot of time, mainly if you are on your way to work. You don’t want to deal with unnecessary stress. And what’s worse is that it does not just affect you but the rest of your household, as well. It’s such a hassle having to call your partner, sibling, or a roommate who has a spare key to unlock the door for you.

Imagine you’re in their place, having a glorious time with your friends, tasting champagne. Then, you get a call, asking to borrow the key to the front door. As you may have guessed, it sucks for you and them. It’s even worse if you get locked out during bad weather or past their bedtime, which is usually when it happens.

Believe it or not, you’re not the only one facing this type of situation. Many Australians confess to forgetting to check their keys before going out, and it’s not surprising. Considering our busy schedules and juggling several things at a time, we’re bound to get locked out of the house at least once in our lifetime.

But fear not; this misadventure is easily preventable. Below you will find tactics that Diamond Lock & Security locksmiths approve. The following tips will help you from getting yourself locked out of your house, apartment, vehicle, or office in the future. Of course, you do not need to do all of them, so pick the easiest and most convenient for you:

 

1. Check for Your Keys before Leaving the House

You’ve probably heard of the saying that it takes about three weeks for people to create a new habit. For some, it does take longer. But by regularly checking for your keys and making a conscious effort to do so whenever you’re about to leave your house can help significantly. It’s always possible for you to forget to check every few days, but you’re guaranteed to get into the habit of ensuring you have the keys with you.

Although it’s going to be challenging at first, consistency is essential. By practising looking for your keys before you step out, it will soon become second nature.

 

2. Have A Spare Key

You’ve probably heard that having a spare key can save you the trouble of getting locked out. It’s been said a lot because it helps. If you often forget your front door’s key, it’s the universe telling you to get a spare.

But there are two mistakes that people typically make with their spare key. First, they hide it under the doormat. That’s an old trick that everyone knows about, including thieves. Instead of the doormat, place the spare under a rock or inside a shoe. Hide it in a location that you can safely and covertly access. It should also be something that you can easily remember.

The second mistake people make is having merely one spare. If you’re too forgetful, you need more than one. Have more than two spare keys, if possible. Give them to people you trust, such as a neighbour or friend. It does not have to be someone who lives close to you. Of course, you should retrieve the key copies in case your relationship with those individuals changes; otherwise, it could become a safety issue.

 

3. Request for Replacement Keys

If you follow tip #2 above, where you place your spare key outside, a problem could arise with the key. For example, during the winter, the key can break after getting exposed to low temperatures for a long time. As much as possible, have replacement keys made on schedule. Yes, it’s pretty tedious, but it’s one of the guaranteed ways never to get locked out of your house ever again.

 

4. Have A Specific Place Where You Store Your Keys

Keeping your keys safe inside and outside the house is straightforward. Many homeowners lose their keys inside the house. They often have specific areas in their home where they leave their keys. And when it is time to go somewhere, they cannot remember where they placed their keys. Throwing your keys on the table, couch, or anywhere that’s convenient is a risky business.

Some people solve this issue with a key cabinet or board where they hang their keys. This specific board is designed for displaying and storing keys, so you can just grab the one you need. It’s usually installed next to the front door, in the living room, or even the garage. While it is true that key boards help homeowners find and store their keys almost effortlessly, so do intruders.

Key boards are positioned where they can quickly be seen, presenting an opportunity for thieves to get easy access to your house. A good solution here is to use an interior safe. Unlike key boards, this safe is strategically placed inside your home, so wandering eyes cannot detect them.

Another type of storage is an exterior safe. If you don’t like leaving your key under the rock or shoe, you can use a more sophisticated solution. An exterior safe is installed within the metre box or even an outer wall. It’s not as easily accessible as you may think because these exterior safes work almost like a programmable keypad.

 

5. Ensure Your Locks Are in Good Condition

Locks are not designed to work forever. They can also fail, especially if you’re using a low-quality one. And since you get yourself locked out of the house, chances are you have tried to turn the knob or pull the lock forcefully several times in the past. You may have thought that this trick would help you get into the house, but unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way.

Locks, especially front door locks, are bolstered to ensure homes get adequate protection. However, even though they are strong enough to withstand the abuse, they deteriorate quickly, as well. One of the most significant clues of a malfunctioning lock is that it does not budge despite using the correct key.

Additionally, the key might break if you keep forcing it to open the lock that’s already stuck. And in most cases, a broken key also damages the lock. This problem cannot be resolved even if you have a ton of spare keys. Therefore, your locks must be all functioning, so you don’t face any issues when you’re about to enter your home.

 

6. Invest in a Key Finder

If you simply lose your keys because you keep forgetting where you left them, it’s probably best for you to get a key finder. This device is also known as a key locator or an electronic finder. Its main task is to help you find your missing key without too much effort.

A key finder is a small device that you attach to the item you keep losing (in this case, it’s your house key). Once installed, it becomes easier to locate the key you just lost. Depending on the product, your key finder could be connected to your smartphone. From there, you can see where your missing key is at that current moment.

Some key finders come in two segments. The first one works as above, where you attach it to your key. The other piece is the trigger, which may have a button to activate the alarm on the other part. You will then follow the sound of that alarm so that you can find where you placed your key.

This method, however, is not recommended because it does not work if you left the key somewhere else apart from your home. That means you will not hear the alarm. Some products also have a limited range, so you cannot use them in your house to locate your keys that you left at work.

Nevertheless, a key finder is a good investment if you keep losing your key, but you’re sure you left it somewhere in the house.

 

7. Get a Programmable Lock

One high-tech option that you can try is a programmable lock. If you are not convinced with key finders, this type of lock is an even better investment. A programmable lock, also called an electronic lock, means that you do not need a key. And when you do not need a key to enter your home or office, you eliminate your worries of getting locked out because of a misplaced key. Also, you do not have to carry a key with you anywhere you go.

Programmable locks, though, use a card with an RFID chip. But the good news here is that there are other ways to gain access in case you somehow lose that card. Make sure you never forget your PIN, which is a code you will need to enter to unlock the door.

 

8. Have a Backup Plan

There are other ways to enter your home in case you’re locked out. For instance, you can leave an upstairs window slightly open without making it look inviting. It’s incredibly rare for burglars to carry a ladder anyway. You can climb up to that window using a cheap or a refundable ladder that may be useful for you.

The easiest way to ensure you do not get locked out of your house, building, or place of work is to call a professional locksmith service. Choose a reputable one for duplicating your essential keys, so you have one that you can use if you lose the original. You can still reproduce a duplicate as long as you’re working with a professional locksmith who knows how to use a code cutter. This method allows for the identification of the lock’s key code using its groove depths.

 

Contact Diamond Lock and Security

Even if you haven’t been locked out before yet, it’s always a possibility. Many people forget to have their keys with them. They remember after closing the front door or when they’re in another location. Others find out when they just came back home from work. Either way, getting locked out is a stressful situation to be in.

We recommend that you follow our recommendations above, especially having immediate access to a spare key. Give us a call to request our locksmithing service today.