Most people will get locked out of their home at least once during ownership. This can be a very frustrating time to go through, especially when you are trying to get to work or have somewhere important you need to be. To fix the problem at hand, below are some steps homeowners should consider after getting locked out.

1. Call A Locksmith

This is the best way to get inside of your locked home without having to worry about damaging a door or window. Many local locksmiths can be called for an emergency visit at any time of day or night. Because this option will cost money, you may decide to try other options listed below first. When calling a locksmith, they will arrive at your home and create a duplicate key that will give you instant access to your home.

2. Call Friend or Landlord

If you have decided to be prepared for this type of situation, a friend or family member you trust will have a spare key for you to use. If they live or work nearby, this situation can be remedied quickly and easily. If you rent a home, get in touch with your landlord to see if they will come and open your home for you.

3. Look For Entrance

If you don’t have a spare key around your home, with friends, family members or your landlord, try to look for an open window or unlocked door to gain entry through. Even though this is something many homeowners try to avoid to lessen the risk of home invaders, it can come in handy to forget you left something unlocked or open when you accidentally lock yourself out of your home and don’t want to pay for locksmith services.

4. Remove the Doorknob Or The Door

In some cases, a doorknob can be taken apart and disengaged to give you entry into your home. This may not be feasible if you have an alarm system activated in your home. To remove a doorknob, you will need a paperclip or screwdriver to remove all screws. Once you get the knob off, the door will be able to open. Alternately, you can use tools such as a hammer to remove the hinges off your door frame. Even the best locks have no chance of keeping you out of your home if the door is off of the hinges.

5. Remove Sliding Glass Door

If you have a sliding glass door in the rear of your home, you might try using a screwdriver or crowbar to pry it off of the tracks. Be careful when trying to remove the glass door off of the track. If you drop it or accidentally hit the glass with your tool, you may cause it to shatter and cause expensive damage. If this works for you, it may be in your best interest to secure the door with a wooden dowel from the inside. This will make it impossible to slide or pry open the sliding glass door from the outside.

6. Find Entry Through Garage Door

If you have a garage door, you can try to use a wire hanger or any other type of sturdy metal to gain entry through the garage and into your home. Bend the metal until it creates a long rod with a hook at the end. Make the length as long as you can. Insert the metal rod and hook into the top of your garage door. Put the hook side in first. You are trying to attach the hook to the garage door opener latch. Once you get the hook attached, pull with some pressure to get the latch to disengage. Once complete, you can try to lift your garage door open.
These are just a handful of ways to try and gain entry into your home after being locked out. Take your time to weigh the pros and cons of each option before going through with it. In many cases, it is safer and easier to seek help from a professional locksmith company.