Locked Out? What to Do in the First Ten Minutes

The door clicks shut behind you and your stomach drops. Your keys are on the kitchen counter, or in the car, or on the hook by the stairs where they always live. It happens to everyone eventually. What you do in the next ten minutes makes a big difference to how the rest of the day goes.

Minute one: stop, and don't force anything

Take a breath before you do anything dramatic. Kicking a door, prying a frame, or breaking a window might feel productive, but it tends to turn a lockout into a repair. A cracked door jamb or a smashed pane needs a carpenter or a glass replacement on top of everything else. A lock that wasn't broken to begin with is almost always easier to deal with than a door that is.

One exception, and it's an important one. If someone is inside who may be in danger, such as a child, an elderly relative, or someone unwell, or if there's something on the stove, call 911 first. Everything else on this list can wait.

Minutes two to five: check the easy things

• Pat every pocket, bag, and jacket again. Check the car if you came from there.
• Try the other doors you legitimately use, such as the back door, the basement door, or a door from a shared hallway.
• Call or text anyone who might be home, or who holds a spare: a roommate, a family member, a trusted neighbor.
• If you rent, ask if your landlord or building manager keeps a key on file.
• Check that the lock is actually locked. Doors that stick are sometimes just stuck.

In a South Philadelphia rowhome, there's usually only one real way in, and that front door is often the one that locked behind you. Don't go climbing the back wall or the fire escape of a neighbor's place. A fall is a far bigger problem than a locksmith visit.

Minutes five to ten: call a locksmith with a real storefront

If nobody has a spare, it's time to call a locksmith. Choose one you can actually find. A real shop with a street address you can walk to, a published phone number, and a license is a good sign. We're at 1113 E Passyunk Ave, and our Pennsylvania locksmith license is PA#005785. We're also members of ALOA, the Associated Locksmiths of America, and the Greater Philadelphia Locksmiths Association.

Lockouts are something we come to you for. As our site puts it, we'll get you access to your car or home promptly and professionally, and no one ever has to know. When you call, tell us where you are, what kind of door or lock it is if you can see, and whether it's a house, apartment, or car. Our counter hours are Monday to Friday 9 to 6, Saturday 9 to 5, and closed on Sunday, so call (215) 468-4819 and ask what we can do for you right now.

Becca Haydu, one of our Google reviewers, wrote that she locked herself out and "they came to help minutes before closing," and later we installed a new code lock for her. We're not promising that exact story to everyone, because every day is different. But it tells you something about how the shop treats a person standing on the sidewalk without their keys.

What a locksmith does that you can't

A trained locksmith can usually open a standard lock without damaging it, and then check that the lock still works properly afterward. If your key is on the inside and the lock is in good shape, the fix might take very little time. If the lock is worn out or the door is damaged, we'll tell you straight and talk about options, including rekeying or replacing the hardware. We stand behind our work: your satisfaction is guaranteed on all lock installations and repairs.

Make this the last time

Once you're back inside, take five minutes to make sure this doesn't happen again. The easiest step is to keep a spare key in a safe place. We recommend it to everyone. The best spares are cut from a good original and live somewhere you control: with a trusted friend or family member nearby, or in a secure spot inside a second location such as your workplace.

The spot under the doormat, the flowerpot, or the fake rock is where everyone looks first, including people you didn't invite. Skip those. A spare with a neighbor you trust is far better than a spare hidden in plain sight.

• Cut a spare while your current key still works well.
• Put a colored head on your house key so you can find it fast. We have many colors to choose from.
• Pick a regular place for your keys inside the door, and always return them there.

Cars count too

The same calm order applies if you lock your keys in the car on Passyunk Avenue or in a parking spot near the market. Check the other doors, call anyone with a spare, and don't wrench at the window. Our lockout service includes cars.

Wilensky's Hardware & Locks, 1113 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147. Call (215) 468-4819. If you're reading this in a moment of calm, the best move you can make is to stop by and have that spare cut today.