Locked Out of Your House? Here's What to Do

So, it happened—you locked yourself out of the house. (If only you had smart locks with a keypad. More on that later.)

But seriously. It’s something that happens to pretty much everyone, no matter how careful you are. It’s also one of the most frustrating circumstances to find yourself in. Especially if your door is dead bolted.

But before you go breaking in windows or trying to climb to your second story, take a deep breath and don’t panic. These tips will help you get back into your house as quickly as possible.

Check for unlocked access points

Even if you’re diligent about home security, locking your windows and patio doors, there’s always a chance you left one unlocked or open. Since this is the easiest, fastest way to get inside, start by checking if any ground level windows and doors are unlocked. Avoid trying to climb on your roof to get in through a second story window; it’s risky and dangerous.

Reach out to someone who has a key

Chances are good someone you know has a key to your home. Use your smartphone to call your spouse, kids, or anyone else in your family that has a copy of your house key. If you’ve ever given a key to a petsitter or neighbor, ring their doorbell. If you’re renting, you can also contact your landlord or maintenance staff to see if they can unlock the dead bolt for you.

Pick the lock

Knowing how to open a locked door isn't just for MacGyver; you never know when this trick will come in handy (like now!). There are a couple easy ways to do this (depending on your door and lock configuration):

• Try a card. Some door locks will pop open if you slide a credit card into the crack in the door, near the lock.
• Use a knife. Borrow a knife from your neighbor and put the knife between the door and striker plate, then slide the knife until you find the bolt. From there, you can attempt to push the knife bolt away from the doorjamb.

Remove the doorknob

Removing your doorbell obviously won't help. But if you have a toolbox handy or can borrow one from your neighbor, you may be able to remove the doorknob completely. Find the shank of the doorknob, then use a small screwdriver or paperclip to remove the screws. From there, you can remove the decorative plate and get to the screws that attach the doorknob to the house.

Call a locksmith

This is the most expensive but also the most surefire way to get back into your home. A locksmith can unlock the door without damaging it, and many promise to arrive within an hour or less. The downside to a locksmith is price. Not only will you likely pay a minimum service fee, but most charge higher rates if you call on the weekends or evenings.

Prevent future lockouts with smart door locks

Once you're back safely in your house, you'll probably resolve never to lock yourself out of your front door again. Luckily, there's an easy way to do this with a Vivint smart lock that includes a keypad and remote access. Here's how a smart lock with WiFi connection will increase home security and change your life:

• No more keys. Unlock your door with your own unique access code instead of a physical key.
• Multiple access codes. You can create multiple access codes so each family member, your petsitter, and house guests all have their own codes. You can even decide how long the codes stay active and then delete them when they're no longer needed.
• Remote access. Lock or unlock your front door remotely using your smartphone. Forget to lock up when you leave? No worries. You can lock or unlock your door wherever you are with the Vivint app.

But the best thing about a smart lock as part of a WiFi-connected Vivint system? It's worry-free—you never have to stress about you or your family members getting locked out of your house again.

Ready to up your front door security? Contact us today at 844.481.8630 for a free quote and see how a smart lock can bring you peace of mind.