What to Do If You’re Locked Out of Your Office?

Locked Out Office

Has it ever happened to you that you left your keys inside your home or car and only realized when it was already too late? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one, as millions of people find themselves in a situation like this every year. We are only human and we are bound to make mistakes from time to time, so it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Locking oneself out of one’s office is not a rare occurrence either, and while your first reaction is probably to panic, there is always a solution to any kind of problem. Since business must go on, read on to learn about what you can do if you’re locked out of your office so that you’re prepared for this kind of scenario.

Spare keys

While your first instinct is going to be to panic, stop for a moment and think about whether you have a spare key somewhere. Oftentimes, we tend to forget about spare keys simply because we never use them, but you might have one deep inside your drawer at home. Also, think about who else might have a spare key to your office.

When it comes to commercial buildings, the situation is a bit trickier than if you lost your key to your rented apartment. If you’re sharing your office space, though, all you have to do is contact your colleague and have them bring you their key and let you in (if they are in a position to do so). If you’re renting the office space, your landlord might have a key.

Try to get in

A lockout can also happen in the blink of an eye if we slip up and, for instance, leave our keys inside the office when stepping out for a second. In case the lockout happened during working hours, there is a chance that someone is inside the office if you’re sharing it. Try to come in contact with that person by knocking or by calling your colleague if you have your cell phone on you. While it is an unpleasant situation, if you can avoid getting outside help, it’s worth a try.

Another course of action that should be on your mind in this situation is an alternative entry point. Now, you don’t have to think immediately of windows, as climbing in a window would probably look less than professional. Instead, think of back doors and other such entry points. During working hours, there is a chance that one of them might have been left open.

What not to do

What is important to mention is that you should not force the door or the lock as you might cause more harm than good and your business budget will be the one to take the blow. If you allow someone experienced to do it, there will be no damage done. So, if none of these options seemed to work, it’s time to go a step further.

Call in outside help

If all else fails, you should turn to outside help to remedy the issue in a timely manner. This is also the safest option as you will not be risking breaking the lock by trying to sort the problem out yourself. In addition, if you have the number of a good emergency locksmith, this solution will also be the fastest one. The emergency locksmith will easily recognize what kind of lock they are dealing with and let you inside efficiently. In case your lock needs to be rekeyed or changed, they will be able to advise you the best course of action too.

How to prevent this situation from happening again

It goes without saying that you should always have a spare key and have someone trustworthy keep it for you. Also, given that many lockouts happen not due to lost keys but due to old, worn-out locks that no longer function reliably, you should upgrade your office lock system. Offices should use commercial locks that are designed to withstand wear and tear, but an even better solution would be to have keypad locks installed so that there is no need to even carry a key. Smart locks that are controlled by smartphones are also gaining traction thanks to their effectiveness and reliability, so explore these options if your budget allows it. Getting locked out of your office is certainly a nuisance that can set you back but knowing what you can do in this situation will give you peace of mind. In any case, always have a locksmith’s number saved in your phone to be on the safe side.

One thought on “What to Do If You’re Locked Out of Your Office?”

  1. When we get trapped in any lockout situation, we don’t get the right solution because of panic condition. Your blog is helpful for people who easily get panicked. thank you for sharing it.

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