It’s never fun to find yourself locked out of your house. Locking yourself out is a small mistake that can have big consequences, but it doesn’t need to get worse than it already has. The locksmith tips and tricks discussed in this blog post will help you remember what to do when you find yourself on the wrong side of a locked door.

Locksmith Tips and Tricks

We will be covering information for both your home and your vehicles. Understanding how to prevent being lockout and knowing what to do if you are locked out will be very helpful. We hope this article will help you be prepared and in case the inevitable happens you will know that do.

Evaluate the Condition of Your Door Lock

Whether you just moved into a new house or have been living at your home for many years, locks will deteriorate over time and become harder to open. This is especially true if you live in a place with cold winters and frequent snowstorms. If your door lock has been frozen shut, then it’s important that you don’t force the key into the lock or else risk damaging both your house and yourself. Your best bet would be to call a locksmith who can break your lock using a drill.

Install the Right Locks on Your Property

Not all locks are the same and not all locks are good for every door. If you have a window that is near your front or back door, then it’s important to consider installing a double cylinder lock on both doors. This type of lock requires two keys in order to be opened from either side which means that an intruder would need to find two separate keys in order to get inside.

If you have a sliding glass door, then it’s important that the locks on your doors be able to withstand force from intruders. A lock with this type of strength is called an “interconnecting pin-tumbler deadbolt lock” and has multiple pins which help to prevent the lock from being picked.

Avoid Hiding a Spare Key in Obvious Locations 

This may sound like a no-brainer but many people make this mistake. If you have a spare key hidden in an obvious place, then you’re just asking for trouble. Some homeowners think that hiding a key under their doormat is an ideal place to hide the spare, but this isn’t much better than your flowerpot or hanging planter. Instead use a smart lock, fake rocks, fake sprinkler head, and for more options read our post on The Perfect Place to Hide a Key Outside.  

If a criminal wants to get into your home, they will search obvious places for spare keys.

Keep Spare Keys in Safe Places

When the inevitable occurs and you find yourself locked out, it’s important that you have a spare key in a safe place. This means somewhere that is not easy to find for people who don’t live in your home. A great option would be to keep your spare key inside of a magnetic cabinet or doorstop. You could also hide your key inside of fake wall outlet, a fake smoke detector, or inside of your mailbox. And a classic safe place is with a family member that lives nearby. When all the above fails the only option is to call a professional.

Change Your Lock Every Time You Move

Many homeowners often forget how important it is to change their locks when they move. Locks are one of the easiest ways to keep your home safe, so it’s important that you have a new set installed every time you move into a new place. You will be surprised at how many people never changed their locks after they move in. This is not an expensive upgrade to your home even if you go with high security locks which are highly recommended, always consult with your local locksmith for superior home protection.

Should You Use a Dealership or Locksmith to Rekey Your Car?

There are many more benefits to rekeying your automobile keys using a locksmith service. Unless you plan to go with a dealership, then the answer is no. If your car keys are lost or stolen it can be very expensive at the dealership plus you will have to wait a long time. A professional company like Armstrong Locksmith offers mobile service as well as a local shop. You would be surprised at the number of tools that locksmiths have in their arsenal to help you get your new key FOB quickly.

What makes a good locksmith?

A good locksmith is one that you can trust. If your car keys are lost, then it’s important to have a reliable company help rekey them quickly without asking too many questions. Whether you need new car keys or change the locks at your home or business, look for a company that has been in business for at least five years. You can also check with your local Better Business Bureau to make sure that there have been no complaints filed against them.

Armstrong Locksmith is a company that has been in business for over 15 years and has an A+ rating with the BBB. We are always here to help you when you need it most!

Conclusion

It’s important to have a few tricks up your sleeve when it comes to locks, and the professionals at Armstrong Locksmith are here to help. We offer a wide range of services, from rekeying car keys to changing the locks on your home or business. Contact us today for more information!

For more useful tips be sure to subscribe to our Youtube channel.