A lockdown situation can happen to anyone, anywhere, be it at home, the office, or on the road. There are several reasons why you can get locked, especially if keys are forgotten on the premises or in the car or if they get stuck in a broken lock.

Of course, the first call to action when you are locked out is to call a locksmith, but there are a few steps you can take to avoid lockdowns to begin with.

Remove the self-locking door knobs

Today, most offices and homes are equipped with self-locking door knobs, which lock automatically as soon as the door is closed. Although this locking mechanism is convenient and designed to save time, especially in busy environments, it can cause more problems than it is worth.

The best alternative to preventing locks from “keyed privacy locks,” also known as self-locking door knobs, is to replace them with deadbolts. Your Raleigh locksmith will be able to configure your door hardware so that it is impossible to lock behind you when it is closed.

You can even ask your locksmith to install a front door handle on every exterior door. When installed properly, you’ll have to use a key from the outside to access these handle and bolt combos, making them lock-proof. If you don’t want to replace your self-locking door knobs, you can install door limiters to prevent the doors from closing behind you.

Maintenance of your door locks

Locks are one of the most used items in a home, but unfortunately we rarely pay attention to their maintenance to prevent them from working as efficiently as possible. It’s not just the locks, but also the keys that are subject to considerable wear and tear over time, so it’s important to check them regularly and fix the problem before it’s too late.

Clean regularly – Dirt, grime, and oils inevitably accumulate on locks and bolts and even door handles, especially when used frequently. To avoid this, it is good practice to clean them by cleaning the affected areas with a little soap and water and drying the surface with a soft cloth.

Avoid scratching – With regular use, door locks are likely to get scratched around the faceplates and lock holes. Although there is no way around it, you can be careful whenever you put the key in the lock.

Prevents door mechanisms from sticking – Door locks sometimes freeze due to daily use and accumulation of dirt. Many owners use WD40 as a solution, but it’s best to refrain from using Teflon-infused products and use products like Tri-Flow that will also stay in the lock for much longer.

Although you can do many things to maintain your locks, it is best to hire a professional locksmith to get the job done right the first time and ensure the durability of your locks.

The key does not work

Other than sticky door locks, the keys may not work or may get stuck in the knob. The cylinder inside a door lock is where all the magic happens and controls its overall mechanism. A damaged cylinder can cause a number of problems, including the key not turning in the lock. In most cases, this requires professional help, but here are some things you can try.

The key does not open the door – you are probably using the wrong password! This happens! Actually, this is one of the most common problems when it comes to a bad door lock cylinder. The key and cylinder work hand in hand and if either one is about to wear out, you may find yourself using excessive force to unlock the door. If the problem is neglected and not fixed immediately, it can result in an irreparable cylinder and door lock.

The key does not turn in the lock – Another symptom of a door lock cylinder failure is that the key does not turn in the lock. There can be several things that could cause this problem, in particular, the teeth inside the door lock are worn out and as a result they cannot accept the key. You can try removing the key and reinserting it and hope for the best, but eventually you will have to have the problem professionally examined before it gets worse.

The key gets stuck in the lock – The reasons why your key is stuck in the lock can range from a frozen key to a damaged door lock cylinder. This problem is mainly caused by worn or damaged keys or a deteriorated lock cylinder. Regardless of the reason, this would be a great time to replace your keys and have your lock inspected. In fact, one of the most common reasons for lockouts is damaged keys, so frequent inspection and repair is a highly recommended solution.

Easy ways to prevent crashes

Have spare keys – Having spare keys on hand is perhaps the best way out of a stuck situation. There are a number of ways to do this, including keeping a spare key in your wallet, an item of clothing you wear daily, or even in a discreet, easily accessible location near your home. You shouldn’t have to make multiple duplicate keys, but it’s a good idea to leave at least one with a person you trust, like a family member or neighbor.

The fact is, anyone can suffer from lockdown situations due to various reasons, and the best advice is to get professional and quick help before the underlying problem spirals out of control and causes irreparable damage.