Tips for Picking a Locksmith – Being Locked Out Is Not Fun

What’s the best way to pick a trustworthy locksmith? Deliberate researching locksmiths before you need one, the same way you would a plumber, electrician, or other professional. That works well if you’re looking to have some security work done at your home, like installing deadbolts on the

external doors of your house, or a safe in your bedroom.

But if you’re dealing with an emergency, similar being locked out of your car, you really don’t have much time for thorough research.

Regardless of whether you are locked out of your car or home, you need new locks installed, or you require other security work, the FTC offers these tips to help you hire a legitimate, local locksmith.

How to Not Get Locked Out of the House

One thing you totally do not want to do is to leave a door or window unlocked as protection against getting locked out. This is because if you know how to break in to your house, a burglar can easily discover that method, too. Always lock your doors and windows.

The secret to avoid getting locked out of the house is to make an extra set of keys, and make sure you have access to a spare key in the event you are locked out.

If you do not have an extra key, you may need to call a locksmith. Do not kick in the door because you may end up replacing the door jamb, door frame and your door, which is far more expensive than paying a locksmith. Ditto for breaking a window. Locksmiths are cheaper. Just in case, program a locksmith's phone number into your cell.

Good Places to Stash Your Key

You can remove your door knobs and take them to a hardware store, do it yourself (if you know how) or call a locksmith to change all the locks so they unlock with the same key. Here are places to hide an extra key:

• Give an extra key to a friend, family member or neighbor whom you trust.

• Buy a fake rock, put the key inside and hide the rock in the garden. Make sure the rock looks real because burglars know how to look for these. 

•  Carry an extra key in a briefcase or, if you're a woman, your bag.

http://homebuying.about.com/od/buyingahome/qt/Locked-Out-Of-House.htm
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