Successfully Handling a Lockout Situation

It is true that sometimes we can control a lockout situation but sometimes, it’s impossible to do. In a lot of cases, a person discovers that they are locked out because of something they did or didn’t do. At Chino Hills Locksmith Master in Chino Hills, California, we are called quite often to assist homeowner and motorists in getting back inside. It would definitely be better for you to contact a locksmith when you are locked out rather than trying to handle the problem on your own. This is one of those times that you are capable of controlling the situation. We want you to be ready when and if this ever happen to you and that is why we are presenting you with this important information. Perhaps you’ll keep this article in mind if you should ever find yourself in a lockout situation. Lockouts often occur when you least expect it. They happen when you’re not prepared for the possibility. We hope to assist you in avoiding this by providing you with the necessary information needed to successfully handle a lockout situation.

Below are some of the most common reasons people find themselves lockout out and this is what they can do to get back inside again:

Using Old and Outdated Keys: The use of old keys means that you’re constantly trying to maneuver them to fit into the keyhole. If this sounds like you then it is necessary for you to replace the key. Far too often, the person will ignore the need to replace the key and they just go on using the key as though there were no problem at all. When you have trouble getting the key out of the keyhole, this can create a problem. Rather than dealing with the problem that could occur later, why not deal with the situation now. The use of old keys can cause problems with your being able to remove the key from the keyhole. Don’t wait until you are unable to remove the key from the keyhole before you have another key made, do something about it now and avoid the possibility of locking yourself out.

If your key doesn’t fit in the keyhole, never force it. This could cause the key to break off in the lock. Also, if you are in a hurry then it is easy to simply snatch the key from the keyhole. This easily causes the key to break off. Stop and take a minute to think before over-reacting to the situation. If you act to quickly, you may regret it later. If you’re having trouble with your key and you’re finding yourself wiggling it back and forth trying to get it to go into the keyhole, clearly there is a problem that you shouldn’t ignore. If you ignore the problem that you are experiencing, you may find yourself locked out.

If the key breaks off in the keyhole a locksmith is usually capable of removing it for you. Rather than contributing to the problem by attempting to remove the key yourself, why not just make life easier on yourself by relying on a qualified locksmith to assist you. Attempting to handle this yourself, you could actually damage the lock. Don’t make matters any worse than they are when you can simply call on the services of a locksmith.

Jammed Key Pins: Occasionally, lock pins might jam. This will prevent you from being able to turn the key in the lock. We have an easy fix for you! Perhaps just spraying a silicone lubricant in the lock will help to loosen the pins, allowing you to then turn the key. If this doesn’t resolve the problem that you are experiencing, you’re in luck because a locksmith will be able to quickly and effectively handle the job for you. Don’t be surprised if they do the same thing that we’ve advised you to do by spraying a lubricant inside the lock to loosen the pins. In many cases, they simply change the lock. It might be a good idea for you to simply spray a lubricant inside of any problematic locks, several times a year, to avoid being locked out.

How to Avoid a Lock Out

If you want to avoid being locked out of your home or vehicle, here are a few things that you can do:

Have a Spare Key Made – This is something that surprisingly we actually have to mention. There are people who don’t have a spare key. This won’t help you avoid the problem of being locked out but it can make it more tolerable since all you’ll need to do is call up the person with your spare key. Once they arrive you’ll be able to get quickly get back inside again.

Routine Lock Maintenance – Some people laugh when they see this but it’s true, having your locks lubricated several times a year can help prevent lockouts. During routine maintenance of your locks any damaged locks are replaced at that time.

There are lots of vehicles designed with keyless locks. If you have a vehicle with a keyless lock and aren’t sure how they function, don’t hesitate to give one of our locksmiths a call to discuss this with you in detail. This will be especially helpful if you happen to find yourself locked out. There are all sorts of reasons why someone might find themselves locked out of their home or car. Regardless of why they find themselves in this situation, one thing is clear, they want to get back inside as quickly as possible.

If you find yourself locked out then make sure you know which locksmith service you’ll be able to rely on to help you gain entry back inside again. We would strongly discourage you from breaking a window to get back inside thus contributing to the problem. Since a locksmith is usually available 24-hours a day, it would be best to simply contact a locksmith if you find yourself locked out.