Being locked out of your home in the middle of the night can be a frightening inconvenience. Luckily, you can take some steps to fix the problem. These tips can help you get back into your house in a way that is timely, efficient and safe.

Stay Safe

Hopefully, your home is in a safe neighbourhood where you don’t feel uneasy about being out in the middle of the night. Even if it is safe, you still should take precautions and avoid problems.

Stay away from any bushes that could conceal a person, and stay in the light of any street lights, porch lights, garden bed lights and other lights that might be positioned around your property. Have your cell phone out and be prepared to call the police if you feel uncomfortable, threatened or just unsafe.

Check All the Doors and Windows

Walk around your house and check all entrances to your home one at a time to be sure each one is, in fact, locked. Even doors that you think are definitely locked may not be. While you walk around your house, look at all the accessible windows to see if any of them are open to gain easy access back into your home.

Use a Credit Card or Screw Driver to Gain Entry

If you’ve confirmed that none of your doors are unlocked, you may be able to gain entry to your home using either a credit card or a screwdriver. However, neither of these options will work if there is a locked deadbolt on your door.

Credit Card Method

Start by finding a credit card that you can live without if it breaks. A card that is somewhat flexible may be of more use than a card that is heavy-duty. Library cards or shopping club cards are good for this. Once you’ve picked a card, do the following:

1. Insert the card into the space between the door and the frame, just above the doorknob.
2. Angle the card so that it’s pointing into the space between the door lock and the jamb.
3. Wiggle the card back and forth as you push it downward into the latch bolt.

Continue to repeat the third step until the door opens.

Screwdriver Method

Feel your doorknob until you find the screw that holds the knob in place. It will likely be on the underside of the door where it is hard to see but still accessible. Use the screwdriver to start taking apart the doorknob. Do this until the doorknob has been completely disassembled and removed. Once the doorknob is removed, you should be able to open the door.

If you’re going to try either one of these methods to get into your home, have your ID with home address on hand just in case authorities see your activities and question your actions.

Call a Reputable Locksmith

If you’re not able to gain entry into your home with one of the methods described above—or you do not want to damage your locks—contact a reputable emergency locksmith. Be sure that the locksmith has 24-hour service before calling to avoid wasting time.

Prevent This From Happening in the Future

Anyone can get locked out at any time. Some people prevent this from happening by storing a spare key on their property. Fake rocks and sprinkler heads that contain compartments for keys are common and are an acceptable option if they can be properly concealed.

If you do choose to use this method of hiding a key on your property, be sure to tell everyone in your household so they’ll know what to do if they are ever locked out of the house.

For more information about how to deal with being locked out of the house, contact Adelaide Home Security Locksmiths today. We’ll be happy to give you more advice!