The Best Lockout Is the One That Never Happens
If you've been locked out, you know the feeling — standing outside, patting your pockets, realizing the keys are on the kitchen counter. It's frustrating, it costs money, and it's usually preventable.
Here are practical, proven strategies to avoid getting locked out of your home or car.
Habit Changes (Free)
1. The "Phone, Wallet, Keys" Check
Before you close any door — your house, your car, any door — pat your pockets and say: "Phone. Wallet. Keys." This three-second habit prevents 90% of lockouts. Make it automatic, like checking for your seatbelt.
2. Keep Keys in the Same Place
Designate a spot for your keys at home — a hook by the door, a bowl on the counter, a drawer. Every time you come in, keys go there. Every time you leave, you know where to find them. No more searching.
3. Don't Lock the Door with the Key Inside
If your door has a thumb-turn lock on the inside, you can accidentally lock yourself out by turning it and pulling the door shut. Get in the habit of taking your keys before you turn the lock.
4. Have a Closing Routine
When leaving home: grab keys, check pockets, then close door. When leaving the car: keys in hand (or pocket) before you open the door. Make it a sequence you always follow.
Spare Key Strategies ($0-$30)
5. Give a Key to a Trusted Neighbor
The oldest trick in the book, and still one of the best. If you're locked out, you walk next door instead of calling a locksmith. Free, fast, and reliable — as long as your neighbor is home.
6. Leave a Key with a Nearby Family Member or Friend
If no trusted neighbor is available, leave a key with someone who lives within a 15-minute drive. Not ideal for emergencies, but better than a $150 locksmith call.
7. Use a Lockbox
A combination lockbox ($20-$30) mounted on your property — not in plain sight — holds a spare key. Real estate agents use these; they work for homeowners too. Mount it on a fence post, behind a bush, or on a gas pipe where it's not obvious.
Don't hide keys under the doormat, in a fake rock, or above the door frame. Burglars check these spots. A lockbox with a combination only you (and trusted people) know is much more secure.
8. Keep a Car Key in Your Wallet
A thin, spare car key in your wallet means you always have a backup. If you lock your keys in the car, your wallet (which you hopefully have) has a spare.
Technology Solutions ($80-$300)
9. Install a Smart Lock with Keypad
A keypad deadbolt ($80-$300) eliminates the need for keys entirely. Enter your code to get in. No keys to lose, no keys to forget. Most also have a physical key backup in case the battery dies or you forget the code.
Popular options: Schlage Encode, Yale Assure, Kwikset Halo. Look for one with a physical keyway as backup.
10. Hide-a-Key on Your Car
Magnetic key holders that stick to the underside of your car hold a spare key. For about $5-$10, this is cheap insurance. Place it on a clean, flat metal surface where it won't fall off.
Don't put it on the obvious spots (bumper, wheel well where everyone looks). Find a less obvious location.
11. Use a Key Finder
Bluetooth key finders like Tile or Apple AirTag attach to your keyring. If you can't find your keys, use your phone to make them ring. If they're truly lost, the tracker shows their last known location. $25-$35 per tracker.
Vehicle-Specific Tips
12. Keep a Spare Key in a Magnetic Box
Not in the car — on the car. A magnetic key holder under the chassis gives you a backup that's always with the vehicle.
13. Program a Trusted Contact's Number in Your Phone
Save your locksmith's number in your phone under "Locksmith" so you don't have to search for one in a panic. Or save our number: (855) 373-1159.
14. Check for Keys Before Locking the Car
If your car auto-locks, be especially careful. Get in the habit of checking for keys before you close the door. Some cars won't lock with the key inside (proximity sensors), but many do.
15. Don't Let the Car "Auto-Lock"
If your car has an auto-lock feature that locks after a period of inactivity, disable it or always keep a key on your person. Auto-lock is a common cause of car lockouts.
What If Prevention Fails?
Even with the best habits, lockouts happen. When they do:
- Stay calm
- Check for spare keys (neighbor, lockbox, wallet)
- Call a locksmith — keep the number saved in your phone
- Have your ID ready for when the locksmith arrives
FAQ
What's the best way to prevent home lockouts?
The "phone, wallet, keys" check every time you leave is the most effective free method. Adding a keypad smart lock ($80-$300) eliminates keys entirely. A lockbox with a spare key ($20-$30) is a reliable backup.
Where should I hide a spare key?
In a combination lockbox mounted on your property (not visible from the street). Never under the doormat, in a fake rock, or above the door frame — burglars check these spots. A trusted neighbor holding a spare is the safest option.
How do I stop locking my keys in the car?
Always hold your keys (or have them in your pocket) before closing the car door. Keep a spare car key in your wallet. If your car has auto-lock, disable it or be extra vigilant. A magnetic key holder under the car is cheap insurance.
Are smart locks reliable enough to prevent lockouts?
Yes, if you choose one with a physical key backup. The keypad means you never need a physical key to get in. The battery backup (or key cylinder) ensures you can still get in if the electronics fail. Replace batteries promptly when you get a low-battery warning.
Need emergency lockout service right now? Call (855) 373-1159 and our 24/7 dispatch center will connect you with a licensed professional near you.