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Posted by on June 12, 2020

Locked out of your house or car? Rated Locksmiths have shared their top tips on what to do if you’ve locked yourself out during the coronavirus pandemic. They have a wide-ranging network of over 300 locksmiths and key workers (no pun intended) situated right across the UK. They are always on standby, ready to take emergency calls for lock-outs of all kinds, and with their help, you will regain access to your property or vehicle quickly, and with minimal fuss (and damage).

Before we go on to the top tips, first and foremost, if you find you re locked out, it’s important not to panic. If you’re all in a lather it’s hard to think clearly, and take sensible actions, so try to remain calm. Having taken a few deep breaths, and established a Zen-like state (if possible) or at least cooled down a little, it’s time for some practical steps.

Is there a spare key anywhere? It’s never a good idea to leave a door key under a flower pot or in a hanging basket, as that will compromise the security of your home, and may invalidate your home insurance. However, if there is one available, then problem solved for now. Did you leave a spare key with a trusted individual, or if you’re locked out of your car, does your wife, husband, or adult child have one too? The quickest way out of any lock-out is to get your hands on another key from whatever source, so get in touch with another keyholder first if you can.

Is there any way to get into the house or vehicle without a key? In this security-conscious age, it shouldn’t be, but you never know – burglars manage it all the time, so maybe you can do it too. Look for an open window or a loose catch that will enable you to get into your house. Some people advocate using a stiff piece of plastic such as a credit card to try to push the lock catch back while you open the door. This may work in films, but it isn’t so easy in real life, and you risk ruining your card. If you’re locked out of your car, getting in without a key may be possible if, say, the boot or even one of the doors happens to be unlocked. However, unless you are a seasoned car thief, you probably can’t start a car without a key, so if you’re locked out of your car, getting in again is best left to the professionals.

Thinking of break a window? Not a good idea as you will not only incur repair costs for the window, and leave your property insecure, but you risk gaining unwelcome attention from passers-by, neighbours, or even the police. So, if you’re locked out, and these first few tips don’t do it for you, why not:

Call in the professionals! Don’t dial 999 for the emergency services, call out a local locksmith for fast, affordable help. Why? Well, the Police have enough on their plates keeping us safe and secure, and since the lockdown was imposed, their time has been fully occupied in trying to make people see sense and maintain social distancing, not to mention policing protests and riots. The Fire Brigade may be your next thought, but they get called out to lock-outs far too often. Official stats from a few years ago show that in London, they were called out over 20 times in one day – that’s nearly once an hour, at a cost of around £5 Million! Take the weight off the emergency services, and save the taxpayer some money by calling on a member of the Rated Locksmiths network of professional domestic, commercial and automotive locksmiths. Our members have continued to operate throughout the lockdown period, using enhanced personal protection and hygiene protocols to ensure their and your safety.

When your locksmith arrives, please remember to stick to social distancing guidelines, and don’t be surprised if the locksmith is wearing gloves and a mask for personal protection. When booking a locksmith via Rated Locksmiths, please state whether anyone in your household is suffering symptoms of COVID-19, and either shielding or self-isolating. Above all else, we value the health and safety of both our customers and our members.

Once the locksmith has worked their magic, and opened up your door for you, it’s a good idea to thoroughly clean all surfaces including the lock, the door and any handles and fittings to avoid the risk of any virus residues remaining. Next, consider what to do to improve your security and prevent a lock-out happening again. If you had lost your key, you should always consider getting your locks replaced – our locksmiths can do that for you quickly and affordably, using high-quality locks and security devices that meet all current safety standards. If the problem was a stuck lock or a key broken off in the lock, you probably need to do more regular lock maintenance (oiling the lock at least once per year is a good start), and replace any keys as soon as they start to show any wear. If you are a serial lock-out victim, you probably need a responsible person to hold a spare key for you – don’t trust it to the flower pot, you need someone you can really rely on, and who can be easily contacted. If you constantly lose keys, why not consider getting an electronic lock with a keypad – it may be easier for you to remember a code than keep hold of a physical key. If you do go down the electronic lock route, be certain that the lock you have fitted complies with appropriate standards, or you may invalidate your insurance.

Rated Locksmiths is the UK’s number 1 marketplace for locksmith services, whether they are domestic, commercial, or automotive. If you find yourself in need of a locksmith in a hurry, we highly recommend you request a no-obligation quote via the Rated Locksmiths website.

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