Emergency Locksmith Services: What’s Considered an Emergency?

June 24, 2025

You're rushing out the door and suddenly realize your keys are locked inside your car. Or maybe you come home late at night only to find your front door lock broken, your house vulnerable. In these situations, you don't need help tomorrow—you need it right now.

That’s where emergency locksmith services come in.

But what exactly counts as a locksmith emergency? Is a lost key always urgent? Can a jammed commercial lock be scheduled for later—or should it be addressed immediately?

Let’s break down what’s considered a true locksmith emergency, how professionals handle urgent calls, and what you should expect when reaching out for help.

What Is an Emergency Locksmith Service?

Emergency locksmith services are rapid-response solutions provided outside of standard business hours (nights, weekends, holidays) for urgent lock or key issues that pose a threat to safety, property, or access.

Think of it as the locksmith version of a 911 call—not everything qualifies, but when it does, timing is critical.

The Most Common Locksmith Emergencies

Let’s explore real-world situations where calling an emergency locksmith isn’t just smart—it’s necessary.

1. Locked Out of Your Home, Car, or Office

This is the classic emergency locksmith scenario. Whether you’ve left your keys inside, dropped them somewhere, or broken them in the lock, being locked out of your property—especially at night or in unsafe conditions—is urgent.

Our article on Home Lockouts: How to Regain Entry Without Breaking Anything offers safe alternatives and smart advice for these stressful moments.

2. Broken Keys or Jammed Locks

If your key snaps inside the lock or your lock won’t turn at all, you’ve got a problem. This is especially serious if it happens at your main entry point—leaving you either locked out or unable to secure your property.

In commercial spaces, this could mean a full halt in business operations. That’s why we recommend learning how to audit your office lock system for security flaws to catch these issues before they escalate.

3. After a Break-In or Attempted Burglary

If your home or business has been broken into—or there’s visible damage to your locks—you need emergency services. In these cases, locksmiths can provide:

Immediate lock replacement or rekeying
Temporary security solutions (e.g., reinforced plates, padlocks)
Emergency door repairs

We dive deeper into this topic in Car Lock Repairs After a Break-In: , which applies to commercial and residential properties alike.

4. Lost or Stolen Keys (Especially with No Backup)

If you lose your keys and anyone could find or recognize them, it’s a major risk—especially if the keys are labeled or connected to a home address. In this case, rekeying or changing locks immediately is essential.

In fact, if you’ve lost all access to your car keys, don’t panic—our guide on What to Do If You’ve Lost All Keys to Your Car walks you through what your locksmith can do, even without the original key.

5. Electronic Lock or Access Control Failure

If your smart lock won’t respond or a malfunctioning keypad leaves you stranded, that’s more than an inconvenience—it could leave your business vulnerable. This is especially serious when dealing with shared office spaces or commercial units.

You can find preventive strategies in our blog on Tips for Securing Shared Office Spaces, which covers how to combine tech with traditional security.

When It’s Not an Emergency

Some situations can wait for normal business hours:

Wanting to upgrade to smart locks
Replacing old locks that still function
Changing locks after moving (as long as you're not locked out)
Rekeying due to staff turnover in a non-urgent timeframe

While these are important for long-term safety, they don’t demand a middle-of-the-night callout unless your security is actively compromised.

What to Expect From an Emergency Locksmith

When you call an emergency locksmith, here’s what the experience should include:

24/7 availability
Clear communication and estimated arrival time
Identification and verification upon arrival
Immediate solution or temporary fix
Transparent pricing before work begins

Pro locksmiths travel in marked vehicles, carry ID, and never pressure you into unnecessary replacements. If someone shows up unmarked, unverified, or insists on drilling immediately, trust your gut and send them away.

How to Choose a Reliable Emergency Locksmith

In emergencies, you're vulnerable—emotionally and literally. Unfortunately, scammers target people in these moments.

Here’s how to find a trustworthy locksmith near you:

Look for licensed and insured professionals
Check online reviews and credentials
Call and ask for upfront pricing
Avoid suspiciously low “starting” prices like $19 or $29

For a deeper dive, we wrote How to Find a Licensed and Trustworthy Locksmith Near You to help you make informed choices—even under pressure.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Emergencies are unpredictable—but your response doesn’t have to be.

Whether it’s a lockout at midnight or a busted lock after a break-in, knowing what counts as an emergency and who to call can save you time, money, and stress. And remember, prevention helps too. Regularly servicing locks, keeping spares in secure places, and knowing a reliable locksmith ahead of time can turn a disaster into a minor inconvenience.

When every second counts, having the right locksmith on call can make all the difference.

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How to Avoid Getting Locked Out Again: Expert Prevention Tips

By Youmna Rehman • June 25, 2025

It happens to the best of us. You're running late, juggling groceries or half-awake on your way to work, and before you realize it—the door clicks shut, and your keys are inside. Getting locked out isn’t just inconvenient—it’s stressful, time-consuming, and sometimes downright expensive. The good news? It’s also highly preventable. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through smart, real-world strategies to avoid getting locked out again—whether it’s your home, office, or car. These expert prevention tips come straight from the locksmith trenches, and they’re easy to apply, whether you’re forgetful, busy, or just tired of relying on emergency locksmiths. Understand Why Lockouts Happen in the First Place Before solving the problem, we need to understand it. Lockouts typically happen due to: Forgetting or misplacing keys Keys getting locked inside a car or home Doors that auto-lock Broken or worn-out keys Malfunctioning locks or key fobs Most of these are preventable with simple habits, upgrades, or tools. Let’s break them down one by one. Step 1: Create a Key Routine That You Can Stick To One of the most powerful prevention tools? Muscle memory. Create a ritual around your keys—something small and repeatable every time you leave your home, office, or car. For example: Always touch your keys before shutting the door Say “Phone, Wallet, Keys” as a mental checklist Place a reminder near the door (“Do you have your keys?” sign) These tiny behaviors train your brain to check for keys automatically—no effort required after a while. Step 2: Store a Spare Key (But Not Under the Mat!) A spare key is your best backup—but only if it’s stored smartly. Avoid outdated hiding spots like under the doormat, flowerpot, or inside the mailbox. These are the first places burglars check. Instead: Leave a spare with a trusted neighbor or friend Install a secure, weatherproof key lock box with a code Store it in your wallet or bag if it doesn’t interfere with routine And whatever you do, never label your key with your name or address. If it’s lost, your home could be at risk. More on this in our guide: Why You Should Never Hide a Spare Key Under the Mat Step 3: Duplicate and Distribute—Strategically Don’t rely on one key to rule your world. Instead, get professional duplicates made and keep them where you’re most likely to need them. Some smart storage ideas include: One in your car (but hidden securely) One in your gym bag or laptop case One at your workplace One with your dog walker, babysitter, or close family member Just make sure you trust whoever has access—and always update your key plan after roommates or tenants move out. Step 4: Go Keyless With Smart Locks If lockouts are a recurring issue, it might be time to ditch the keys altogether. Smart locks allow you to unlock doors using: Keypads (PIN codes) Smartphones Fingerprint access Bluetooth or Wi-Fi apps Some models even let you generate temporary codes for guests or service workers—so you don’t have to hide a key or hand out spares. Check out How to Upgrade to a Smart Lock Without Changing Your Door for a step-by-step breakdown of modern options that don’t require full door replacements. Step 5: Regularly Inspect Your Locks and Keys Sometimes, it’s not forgetfulness—it’s a failing lock or worn-out key that locks you out. Signs your key or lock may be due for a replacement: Your key feels loose or stiff in the lock You have to jiggle it to get it to work Your key is cracked, bent, or visibly worn You hear clicking, scraping, or feel resistance when turning A quick inspection once a month can catch small issues before they leave you stranded on the porch. Need help deciding if your hardware is still secure? Read: When Should You Change Your Door Hinges for Better Security? Step 6: Have a Go-To Locksmith on Speed Dial In case prevention fails (because life happens), don’t waste time Googling at 2AM when you're locked out. Instead: Research a local, licensed locksmith now Save their number in your phone as “Emergency Locksmith” Confirm they offer 24/7 lockout assistance Check their reviews, verify their licensing, and build a relationship with them before you need them. Our guide on How to Find a Licensed and Trustworthy Locksmith Near You walks you through exactly how. Step 7: Use a Smart Reminder or Tracker If you’re forgetful (hey, we’ve all been there), tech can help: Use a Tile or Apple AirTag on your keychain to track misplaced keys Set location-based reminders on your phone to check for keys before leaving Use apps like “Alarmy” to set a custom checklist for leaving the house These small hacks go a long way in building dependable habits. Bonus Tip: Re-Key After a Lockout (If Needed) If your lockout was caused by lost keys, it’s safer to rekey or replace the locks afterward. Why? Because if someone finds your keys and knows where you live, your home is no longer secure. Not sure what’s best? We break it down in Rekey vs Replace Locks: Which Is Better for New Homeowners? Final Thoughts: Lockouts Are Avoidable With the Right Systems A lockout doesn’t have to be part of your weekly routine. With a few simple changes—like key duplication, smart storage, tech upgrades, and routine maintenance—you can make sure that panic moment at the front door never happens again. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being prepared. If you ever do get locked out again, don’t panic. Just call your trusted locksmith and take it as a reminder to refine your prevention system. You’ve got this—and your keys.