Standing outside your own front door at 10pm is a frustrating spot. Before you reach for the locksmith number, a quick check of a few things sometimes saves you the callout fee.
Check every other door
It is the obvious one but worth a careful walk around. Back door, laundry door, garage internal door, side gate. We see plenty of Pakenham callouts where someone locked the front while everyone was using the back, then headed out the front by habit.
Check for unlocked windows
Not for climbing through. For reach. If you have got a window within arm length of a door handle, you can sometimes flip the inside latch without breaking anything. Worth a careful look around the house.
Spare key locations
If you have left a spare with a neighbour, family member, or your real estate agent, this is the moment to use it. Even at night, the awkwardness of a late phone call is cheaper than a callout fee.
Check with anyone inside
If your partner or kids are home asleep, a knock on the bedroom window works. Not pleasant but cheaper.
When it is time to call us
If you have got a baby or pet inside, medication you need access to, or you are in a vulnerable spot at night, do not muck around. Call us. Most Pakenham, Officer, and Beaconsfield addresses we are at within 30 to 60 minutes. We quote the cost before we leave so there are no surprises.