Regardless of how careful you are, it’s likely that one day you’ll find yourself in that most frustrating of circumstances: locked out of your own home. Usually the first course of action is to phone in a locksmith, but there are certain things you should do before picking up the phone. This article delivers a handy checklist for you to use, in the event of a lockout.
Confirm That There Isn’t Another Way Into The House
In some cases, you will find that the backdoor or window has been left open by you or someone else mistakenly. You don’t want the embarrassment of having to call the locksmith back and cancel because you overlooked something so obvious. This is why it is good to ensure you have ran through all possible methods of entry beforehand.
Look For a Spare Key
The average homeowner has at least one spare key either outside the house or in the possession of a loved one, family member or home help staff. Can you remember giving your keys to anyone? It might be a good idea to phone them first and check their availability before hiring a professional locksmith.
Ensure You Have a Handy Form of Identification
The average person has a form of identification on them at all times. If you don’t, it’s recommended that you start to carry some on you regularly. Maybe you’re wondering how practical it is to have ID in your pyjama pocket, if you’re only nipping out to the shops. Of course, we all get caught short sometimes, which is why it’s important to keep ID somewhere nearby; perhaps in your garage, or car.
Professional locksmiths will want to be sure they are not inadvertently granting access to a burglar, and a lack of ID can make this process much more difficult than it has to be.
Have a Form of Payment Handy
The locksmith will expect to be paid instantly, so you need to be prepared. If you don’t think you have enough loose cash on you to pay the subsequent fee, then make sure you visit or are close by a cashpoint beforehand. Many reasonable locksmiths will be patient. Another common solution is to borrow some money from a friend or neighbour, temporarily, in order to regain access to your home and the settle the debt at a later date.
Contact Details of a Reliable Locksmith
You are already in a frustrating situation. You don’t want to double the frustration by calling a dodgy locksmith that will take hours to get there or one with loads of hidden fees you didn’t consider. Ask for referrals and only contact the closest locksmith that meets the standards for a reliable professional.