Locked Out in Lidcombe? What to Do Next, Step by Step

Being locked out is stressful because it usually happens at the worst moment: running late, carrying shopping, with a child or a pet inside, or after a long day. The good news is that most lockouts are straightforward to resolve, and a few minutes of calm thinking can save you time and money. This guide covers what to do in the first ten minutes, when to call, what to expect when a locksmith arrives, and how to avoid the same situation next time.

We are open 7 days, 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM, from our workshop at 15 Vaughan St, Lidcombe. We are not a 24-hour service, so if you are locked out after midnight the advice below on other options matters even more.

First: is anyone at risk?

Before anything else, check whether there is a safety issue.

• If a child, a vulnerable person or a pet is shut inside and at risk, or if there is a fire, gas smell, flood or medical emergency, call 000. Emergency services can force entry when a life is at risk. A locksmith is not the right first call.
• If you feel unsafe where you are standing, move somewhere safe and well lit before you start making calls.

If nobody is at risk, you have time to sort it out properly.

Second: check every other way in, sensibly

It sounds obvious, but people often miss these:

• Other doors. Back door, side door, garage internal door, sliding door.
• Someone with a spare. A housemate, family member, neighbour, landlord or property manager.
• Building management. In apartment blocks, strata or building managers sometimes hold keys or can at least let you into the building.
• Your car or bag. Spare keys are often forgotten in a glovebox or jacket.

Do not climb onto roofs, force windows or break glass. It is easy to get hurt, and the repair often costs more than a locksmith.

Third: work out what kind of lockout it is

Knowing which situation you are in helps us give you an accurate price range on the phone.

The door closed behind you

If the door has a spring latch or deadlatch and pulled shut, the deadbolt is probably not locked. These are often the quickest lockouts to open without damage.

The deadbolt is locked and the key is lost

If you locked the deadbolt and then lost the keys, it is a more involved job. Many deadbolts can still be opened without damage, but some high-security cylinders are designed to resist that, and drilling may be the only option.

The key broke in the lock

If part of the key is still in the cylinder, stop trying to turn it. Pushing the broken piece deeper makes extraction harder. Our article on broken keys explains what to do.

The lock has failed

If the key turns but nothing happens, or the lock is jammed, the lock itself has a fault. Opening the door may involve removing the failed lock, and a replacement will be needed. See lock repair and lock replacement.

Fourth: call and describe the situation

When you call 02 4503 6922, we will ask:

• the address and type of property;
• which door, and what kind of lock if you know;
• whether the deadbolt is locked or the door just closed;
• whether the keys are inside, lost or stolen;
• whether you can show ID linking you to the property.

From that we give you a price range and an honest estimate of when we can get there. We will not promise an arrival time we cannot confirm.

What ID you will need

Before we open any door, we need to be confident you have the right to enter. Acceptable evidence includes:

• a driver's licence or other photo ID showing the address;
• a lease, utility bill or rates notice in your name for the address;
• confirmation from the owner, landlord or property manager.

If your documents are inside, we open the door and check them before we leave. We will refuse to open a property if we are not satisfied, because opening a door for the wrong person is the worst thing a locksmith can do.

How non-destructive entry usually works

Most residential locks can be opened without damage using specialist tools and techniques. The exact method depends on the lock, and we deliberately do not publish details, because those methods should stay with tradespeople.

What matters to you:

• Non-destructive entry is our default. It keeps the cost down and the lock still works afterwards.
• Drilling is a last resort, used when a lock has failed internally or is a high-security design built to resist other methods.
• If drilling is needed, we tell you first, explain why, and agree the price for the drilling and the replacement cylinder before starting.

Lost keys: think about rekeying

If your keys are lost rather than locked inside, think about where they are. Keys lost with something that shows your address, such as a wallet with a licence, are a security risk. Rekeying the locks after the lockout means the lost keys no longer work. We can usually do this on the same visit. See lock rekeying.

Lockouts in apartment buildings

Many buildings in Lidcombe, especially near the station, have several layers of access: a building entry, sometimes a lift or car park fob, a security screen and the unit door. We can open your unit door and screen. Building entry and fobs belong to the strata or building manager, so contact them for those.

Locked out of a shop or office

A commercial lockout costs you trading time. Have someone with authority for the premises available, such as the owner, leaseholder or manager, because we will need to confirm authority before opening. See commercial locksmith.

If it is after midnight

We are closed between midnight and 7:00 AM. If you are locked out overnight:

• check again for a spare key holder;
• consider whether you can safely stay elsewhere until morning;
• if someone is at risk, call 000;
• leave us a message, and we will return it from 7:00 AM.

We would rather tell you this honestly than leave you waiting on a promise.

How to avoid the next lockout

• Leave a spare key with someone you trust, not under the mat or in a pot plant.
• Get into the habit of checking for keys before pulling the door shut.
• Fix a sticking lock early. Locks that bind often fail at the worst time.
• Consider whether a deadlatch suits you. A lock that locks itself on closing is convenient but makes lockouts more common. Our deadlock vs deadlatch guide explains the trade-off.

We do not open cars

We work on homes and businesses only. For a vehicle lockout, contact your roadside assistance provider or an automotive locksmith.

Call us

If you are locked out in Lidcombe, Auburn, Berala, Regents Park, Homebush or Strathfield, call 02 4503 6922. We are open 7 days, 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM. Read more about our lockout service and our emergency locksmith work.