Getting locked out with the key inside
Getting locked out with the key inside is a frustrating yet surprisingly common occurrence. It often happens when you’re in a rush or briefly popping out of your home. Perhaps you’re preparing dinner and you’ve realised you’re missing an ingredient. You nip out to the grocery store, but in your hurry you shut the door with the key still in the lock on the inside. When you return, your key won’t work and you realise you can’t get in.
If you find yourself in this situation, the good news is there are some steps you can take to remedy it. And if you can’t solve the problem by yourself, you can always call out a trusted locksmith to open the door with the key inside. In this post, we explore your options and advise when it’s time to take advantage of an emergency unlocking service.
Why lockouts happen with a key in the door
There are several reasons why you might find yourself locked out of your home with the key in the door on the other side. If your lock is a night latch, it will have an internal snib which may be engaged, preventing the door from opening. If a key can be inserted into both sides of the lock, the key on the inside of the door could be at an angle or not fully inserted, preventing your key from entering and operating the lock from the outside.
In most cases where the door has a double cylinder lock, the presence of a key in the inside cylinder will prevent any operation of the lock from the outside. There are many front doors in the UK that use this mechanism.
What not to do
Before we explain how you can try to access your home when you’re locked out with the key in the door, let’s briefly run through what you shouldn’t do.
- Don’t try to force your key into the lock on the outside in the hopes it may push the key on the inside out of the lock.
- Don’t try to take the lock apart – this could compromise the security of your home and result in greater expense.
- Don’t try to drill the lock. Again, it could cause avoidable damage.
Safe steps you can try if you’re locked out with the key in the door
Let’s take a look at how to get back in when your key is in the lock.
- Other access points: Do you have a back door or an open window that you could use to access your property? Often when we go out knowing we’ll be back soon, we leave a window open or the back door unlocked.
- Gentle removal of the key: If it’s visible and accessible you may be able to extract the key from the lock on the inside. Try gently pushing or pulling it to see if you can remove it. Once again, be sure not to force it in any way.
- Lubrication: If there’s no key on the inside, but the key gets stuck in the lock on your side, try lubricating the lock with a graphite or silicon lubricant, then gently wiggling the key as you try to pull it straight out.
When to call a locksmith
If you don’t have additional access points to your home, or the above methods don’t work, the best course of action is to call a locksmith. If you’re wondering, can a locksmith get you in without breaking the lock, the answer is yes. A trained locksmith carries specialist tools to help with a variety of lockout situations.
If you have a locked back door, they may get you in through that. Alternatively, doors with a letter box provide the easiest way for a locksmith to help. If you don’t have either of these, don’t worry. There are other safe lockout methods that professionals can use when you’re locked out with the key in the door. These won’t damage the lock or compromise your home’s security.
How Absolute Security Locksmiths can help
If you can’t get a key in the door or you’re locked out with the key left in the door and you need an
emergency locksmith in Kent, Absolute Security can help. Our trained, insured and DBS checked locksmiths use safe, proven techniques to address lockouts, ensuring that no damage is caused to your locks and the security of your home remains intact.
When you call, we’ll provide a fixed quote for the work and with no call out fee, you won’t face any hidden costs.
Avoid key left in the door lockouts
There are several ways you can avoid being locked out with the key in the door in future:
- Invest in a lock with an emergency unlocking feature. This will enable you to access your home via an alternative method should you become locked out.
- If you have a back door, leave a spare key for it in a discreetly placed key safe or with a trusted neighbour.
Help if you’re locked out
If you do become locked out with the key in the door, it’s important not to panic. Determine whether there is another way of accessing your home – such as through a back door or window – or if the key on the inside is visible, try to gently remove it without force. The safest course of action is to use a lockout service. Local locksmiths can visit you, enable you to enter your home without damage to your locks, and ensure your property remains secure.
For locksmith services in Kent, trust Absolute Security Locksmiths to assist you. Our family-run business has been helping homeowners and businesses for over 20 years, providing safe, trustworthy solutions. We operate in Folkestone, Deal, Dover, Ashford, Hawkinge, Hythe and Dymchurch.