What To Do If You Run Into Trouble With Locks And Keys

We hardly ever think about our locks and keys…until something goes wrong. The truth is, whether residential, automotive, or commercial, keys and locks play a major role in our personal and business lives. If an emergency arises, it’s certainly unnerving, but you don’t have to let it get to you. There are numerous measures you can take to keep yourself secure. You can surely prevent most of the problems with keys and locks that could happen.

Extend the life of your locks. There are things you can do to make your locks last longer:

• If a key won’t turn, don’t worry. Sometimes the pins get jammed up. Spray the lock mechanism with silicone spray or WD-40. This will often solve the problem so you won’t need to call a locksmith.
• General lubrication. If you ever notice any excess friction or grinding in the lock mechanism ~ or at least twice a year ~ apply a silicone-based lubricant spray to the keyhole.
• Replace your keys periodically. Our keys sustain a lot of abuse, because we use them many times a day, keep them who knows where, and toss them around. If you see that your keys are starting to wear down, or if they get damaged, then it’s time to make a new key. Don’t forget to discard your old keys responsibly; a recycle center is ideal.

What about stuck and broken keys? Haste makes waste: If you hurry with your keys, you could find yourself in a bind, because your key might break off in the lock! Take that few extra seconds and be patient with your key. You’ll save yourself plenty of grief.

If you are unfortunate enough to see your key break off inside the lock mechanism, if it occurs before you close the door, then you won’t be able to lock it, which obviously leaves you vulnerable to theft. If the key breaks off in the lock mechanism after you’ve closed the door, you likely won’t be able to open the door again. A broken key can cause damage to the lock itself. What you can do:

• If part of your key is stuck inside the lock, and there’s a tiny bit of it sticking out, you may be able to get it out. If there’s enough of the key showing, you might be able to pull it out with your fingers or with needle-nose pliers. If there’s any damage, then call a locksmith.
• If you don’t see any part of the key sticking out of the lock, it will be risky, because you could easily cause damage. Still, it might be worth a try. Find a flathead screwdriver ~ one that’s small enough to fit inside the keyhole. Pry the key inside, just slightly to the point where it comes out of the lock. If you do it just right, you should be able to remove it with needle-nose pliers or your finger.