Emergency Tips

You're outside, your key isn't working or isn't with you, and you need to get back in. Here's a practical, step-by-step approach — starting with the quickest options and ending with when to call a professional.

Step 1: Check These Things Before Calling Anyone

Before assuming you need a locksmith, run through this list quickly:

• Try every exterior door — front, back, garage entry, side doors. It's easy to forget one that's unlocked.
• If you have a keypad or smart lock, try your code. A low battery can cause slow or missed reads — try again deliberately.
• Call a family member, roommate, or trusted neighbor who has a spare key.
• If you're renting, contact your landlord or property manager — most leases include an after-hours contact or on-call maintenance line for exactly this situation.
• Check whether your home warranty or renter's insurance policy covers lockout service. Some do, at no out-of-pocket cost.

Step 2: Call a Licensed Locksmith

When the above options don't work out, a licensed locksmith is the right next call. A locksmith will come to your location, open the door without damaging the lock or frame in most situations, and get you back inside.

When you call, have your address ready and, if you know it, the brand or type of lock on your door. A Texas-licensed locksmith may ask to see your ID before starting work — this is standard practice that protects you as much as it protects them.

Our 24/7 emergency locksmith service covers Dallas-Fort Worth around the clock.

What NOT to Try

• The credit card trick — this technique does not work on deadbolts, and attempting it can damage the lock, trim, or door. It is not a reliable option for a standard home lockout.
• Forcing or kicking the door — this damages the door frame and strike plate, can break the lock mechanism, and leaves your home less secure afterward. Repairs tend to cost more than a locksmith visit.
• Breaking a window — this creates an immediate security gap, requires cleanup and repair, and is rarely faster than waiting for a locksmith. Avoid it unless there is a genuine safety emergency inside.

After You're Back Inside

If you lost your key rather than leaving it inside, anyone who finds it could potentially use it. Consider getting your locks rekeyed — a locksmith changes the internal pins so existing keys no longer work, and cuts you new ones. It's typically the most affordable way to restore full control over who has access.

If you'd like a broader review of your home's entry points and locks, we offer a home security audit as part of our residential locksmith services — a straightforward walk-through with no-pressure recommendations.

Going forward: keep a spare key with a person you trust rather than hidden outside, and consider a keypad deadbolt if lockouts happen more than once.

Locked Out Right Now?

Right Choice Locksmith serves Dallas-Fort Worth 24 hours a day. Call for assistance.

📞 Call (469) 640-6420

Related: Emergency Locksmith  ·  Residential Locksmith