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Everyday Life Problems

What to Do If You Lock Yourself Out of Your House

Being locked out of your home can be stressful, but taking calm, methodical steps will help you regain entry safely without causing costly property damage.

Written by Administrator · Reviewed by Administrator · Updated October 13, 2026 · Reviewed September 1, 2026 · 3 min read

Immediate actions

  1. 1 Check all ground-floor doors, back entrances, and unlocked windows safely.
  2. 2 Contact a trusted neighbor, family member, roommate, or landlord who holds a spare key.
  3. 3 Hire a reputable, local, certified locksmith if no keyholder is available.
  4. 4 Call emergency services immediately if a child, vulnerable person, or active hazard is trapped inside.

What not to do / warning

Never attempt dangerous climbs or break glass windows with your hands. If young children, vulnerable adults, or burning appliances are trapped inside, call emergency services immediately.

Getting locked out of your house can instantly trigger frustration or panic, but taking a systematic approach will help you regain entry safely while avoiding expensive property damage.

What to Do First

  1. Assess the immediate situation: Determine if there is an urgent hazard inside, such as an unattended cooking appliance, open flame, running water, or a young child or vulnerable adult left alone.
  2. Check all secondary entry points: Walk around your property to inspect all exterior doors, garage entrances, and ground-floor windows. Check patio doors or sliding glass panels that might be unlocked.
  3. Contact a keyholder: Reach out to family members, roommates, neighbors, or a trusted friend who has a spare key. If you rent your home, contact your landlord or property management company.
  4. Call a licensed locksmith: If no spare key is accessible, hire a reputable local locksmith. Ask for a price estimate before work begins and verify their identity upon arrival.

Safety Warnings and Emergency Scenarios

Certain lockout situations require immediate help from emergency responders rather than a locksmith or self-entry attempt:

  • Active hazards inside: If stove burners are lit, space heaters are operating unattended, or candles are burning, call your local emergency services immediately.
  • Vulnerable individuals trapped: If an infant, young child, or person requiring constant care is locked inside alone, request emergency assistance right away.
  • Severe weather exposure: If extreme heat or freezing temperatures put your health at risk while waiting outside, seek immediate shelter at a neighbor's home, nearby business, or public building.

What NOT to Do

  • Do not break glass windows: Shattered glass poses a severe risk of deep lacerations and creates an immediate physical hazard. Replacing windows is often far more expensive than hiring a locksmith.
  • Do not attempt unsafe climbs: Climbing to second-story balconies, roofs, or high windows without proper safety equipment leads to serious fall injuries.
  • Do not force locks with improper tools: Inserting credit cards, knives, or improvised picks into modern deadbolts usually breaks the tool inside the cylinder, permanently damaging the lock mechanism.
  • Do not hire unverified service providers: Avoid locksmith services that refuse to provide a cost estimate on the phone or show up without clear professional identification.

How to Prevent Future Lockouts

  • Leave a spare key with a trusted contact: Give a duplicate key to a reliable neighbor, nearby relative, or close friend.
  • Install a secure key lockbox: Place a combination lockbox in a discreet, non-obvious location on your property.
  • Upgrade to smart locks: Consider keyless entry systems, such as keypad deadbolts or smart locks, which remove the risk of losing physical keys.
  • Establish a daily pocket check: Create a habit of physically checking for your keys before pulling any self-locking door shut behind you.

Stay calm, prioritize personal safety over speed, and reach out to a certified locksmith if safe self-entry is not possible.

Sources & references

  • Federal Trade Commission: How to Avoid Locksmith Scams (https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-locksmith-scams)