Locked Out? Here's How To Break Back In!

You've had a long, tiring day and you need to take a quick trip to the grocery store for dinner. You grab your wallet and turn around to lock the front door, when an overwhelming feeling comes over you: you've just locked yourself out of the house! Before you panic, take a deep breath. There are a few ways you might be able to get back into your home without shelling out the extra cash to hire a locksmith. Here are some ways you can break into your house and get those keys still sitting on the coffee table.

Using the Window Near Your Door

If you happen to have a window near the front or back door, you might be able to get it open from the outside. You don't have to break your window in order to get back inside, but you will need to get your hands on a flat head screwdriver. You can ask your neighbors to borrow one or see if you have one in the tool shed out back. Insert the screwdriver gently under the window pane, and move it around and upward until you feel the window go up or begin to loosen. If it opens, reach in through the open window and unlock your door from the outside. If you have to, you might have to remove the whole pane in order to get your arm inside.

The Credit Card Method

Keep in mind that this method won't work if the deadbolt is locked, but if your keys are inside, it is most likely not locked anyway. Using a laminated card in your wallet or a credit card, slide it in between the door and the frame. Hold the card flush to the door's frame, and bend it away from the doorknob. Your goal is to trigger the spring lock inside the handle, and you may have to work it back and forth a few times until it catches. Be patient and give it several tries before you give up!

If You Have a Garage

If you have a garage, you may be able to open the garage door and get inside that way. Try to find a wire coat hanger or any other slim yet sturdy piece of wire. Bend the piece of wire at one end to form a hook. Insert the hooked end in through the top of your garage, usually toward the middle of the door where the main mechanics are located. Feel around for the latch until you find it, then hook it and pull it towards you. This latch is meant to automatically open the door so once it works, you'll know since the garage door will flip open.

For professional help, contact a company like Broadway Locksmith Inc.