Three Tips to Prevent Home Lockouts

Accidental lockouts can be as frustrating as they are panic-inducing. Those who have been through this situation before likely won’t want to experience it again. Fortunately, there are ways to ensure that this unfortunate scenario never repeats itself. This article will cover some helpful tips to avoid being locked out of your home. Continue reading to learn more.

1. Avoid using doorknob locks.

Besides misplacing or forgetting about your keys, one of the most common reasons people get locked out of their homes is the use of doorknob locks. Lockouts often occur because homeowners accidentally leave their doors locked as they close them behind them. It’s still an easy mistake to avoid, but you can immediately solve the problem by hiring a residential locksmith in San Diego if you live in the area.

All you need to do is choose a door knob with a variant that automatically disengages your locks when turning the interior knob or one whose knob won’t lock. You may think it’s a bad idea to do so, but in reality, the front door’s security often comes from the deadbolt. Moreover, most modern homes use smart or electric locks instead of traditional ones, which leads us to our next tip.

2. Use smart or electronic locks.

Smart or electronic locks are increasingly becoming popular amongst many renters and homeowners, and it isn’t hard to see why. After all, they boast many advantages that traditional locks lack, with few drawbacks. For starters, they enable keyless access, which means you won’t lock yourself out if you accidentally forget your keys. However, it would be best if you remember your access code.

In addition, some enable users to create temporary codes for guests to use so that the main access code isn’t exposed. So after your visitors leave, you can immediately delete the temporary access codes without any problems. However, it isn’t a perfect system, with its main drawback being that it can cost a considerable amount of money.

Furthermore, they operate on batteries, meaning the locks can only fulfill their intended function if they have power. But this is less of a problem since most will alert you when energy is running low.

3. Keep spare keys handy.

Another excellent option to keep you from getting locked out is to have spare keys handy or hidden around the property, on a keychain alongside your car keys, in an inconvenient place out of reach, or outside your home. As simple as it may sound, a spare can make all the difference in a lockout, so it’s always a good idea to have one you can access.

Conclusion

There aren’t many experiences as irritating as being locked outside your home with no way in. However, by following the above mentioned tips, it should never happen again. They may sound simple and obvious, but you’ll be surprised at how much of a difference they can make in avoiding the frustrating experience of being locked out of your home.

Russell Brooks

Russell Brooks is a security systems expert with a degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. His 17 years in home security and automation inform his comprehensive safety and smart home integration guides. His articles offer practical and cutting-edge solutions for home protection. He is a DIY enthusiast and enjoys building custom automation systems. He sometimes enjoys outdoor activities and is a volunteer in neighborhood watch programs.

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