Locked Out of Your House in Larchmont? What to Do First

If you are locked out of your house in Larchmont, do three things in order. Check every other door and the garage for a way in that needs no force. Call anyone who might hold a spare key. If neither works, call a locksmith, give the exact address and the type of lock, and have some proof ready that you live there. Larchmont Locksmith NY has two technicians who live in Larchmont, so the village is home ground, and you can call any hour.

The first five minutes

Start with one question: is anyone or anything at risk inside? A child or an older relative alone in the house, a pot on the stove, a bath running, a pet that needs medication. If the answer is yes, call 911 first. Firefighters can force a door. A locksmith comes second.

If everyone is safe, walk the house before you call anyone. Many Larchmont houses, especially the older Tudors and colonials, have a back door, a side door into the kitchen or a basement entry that gets locked less carefully than the front. Try each one. Try the door from the garage into the house, and check whether the garage keypad still has a code you remember.

What not to do:

• Do not break a window. It feels quick, but it leaves the house open until the glass is replaced, and old glass in an older front door can be slow to match.
• Do not climb. A second-floor window that looks unlocked is not worth a fall off a ladder in the dark.
• Do not attack the lock. A credit card can sometimes slip a spring latch on a knob lock, and it can just as easily chew up the latch and the door trim. It does nothing against a deadbolt.

Who might have a spare key

Most lockouts end without a locksmith, because somebody has a key. Think through the list:

• A neighbour you trust, or the one who feeds your cat when you are away
• Family nearby in Mamaroneck, New Rochelle or anywhere close
• A cleaner, dog walker, nanny or contractor who was given a key
• A landlord or managing agent, if you rent
• A lockbox on the property, if you set one up and forgot about it

If you have a smart lock with a keypad, try the code before anything else. If the keypad is dark because the batteries died, look under the keypad cover: some models have terminals for a 9-volt battery to wake the lock long enough for a code. The manual, which you can usually find online, will say.

What to tell the locksmith on the phone

A short, clear call saves time on both ends. Have this ready:

1. The exact address and a cross street. Larchmont's streets can be confusing for anyone new to the village, especially around Larchmont Manor and the roads near the station.
2. Which door, and what lock. A knob lock that clicked shut behind you is a different job from a deadbolt that was locked with a key. A keypad lock that went dead is a third kind of job. If you can read a brand name on the lock, say it.
3. Whether you also lost the keys. If the keys are gone rather than locked inside, say so. That changes the job from getting you in to getting you in and changing the key.
4. How you will prove the house is yours. More on that below.

Ask for the total cost before anyone starts work. A clear answer on the phone is a good sign. A vague "it depends" with no ceiling is not. The longer version of that advice is in our post on how to choose a locksmith in Larchmont.

ID at the door

Expect to be asked to prove you live there before the door is opened. That question protects you. A locksmith who will open any door for anyone is a locksmith who will open yours for a stranger.

Things that work: a driver's license with the address, a lease, a utility bill or bank statement on your phone, mail in the mailbox with your name on it. If your wallet and ID are inside, say so on the phone. In that case the usual approach is to show ID as soon as the door opens, before the locksmith leaves.

When a lockout is really a security problem

Sometimes being locked out is the small problem. If your keys were stolen with your bag, or lost with anything that shows the address, the lock that keeps you out will let someone else in. The same goes for keys an ex-roommate or a former contractor never returned.

In that case, getting back inside is step one and changing the key is step two. Rekeying the lock sets the existing hardware to a new key, so the old keys stop working. If the lockout came after a break-in, read our guide to changing locks after a break-in before you decide what to replace.

Getting help in Larchmont

Our emergency lockout service covers houses, apartments, cars and businesses. Two of our three technicians live in Larchmont, which means the village, and the streets around Flint Park, Chatsworth Avenue and Palmer Avenue, are close to home rather than a drive up I-95. The Larchmont locksmith page has more on the village. If you are in a neighbouring town, the map of the twelve Westchester towns we cover shows how the rest of the area fits together.

Frequently asked questions

Can a locksmith open my door without damaging it?

Often, yes, but it depends on the lock. A knob lock or a simple deadbolt can usually be opened without harm by someone who knows how. A high-security cylinder may need more work, and drilling should be a last resort that is explained to you before it happens.

What if my ID is locked inside?

Say so when you call. Have something else ready if you can, such as a bill on your phone or a neighbour who knows you. Once the door is open, show your ID before the job is finished.

Should I change the locks after a lockout?

Only if the keys are lost or stolen, or someone you no longer trust has a copy. If the keys are simply on the kitchen table, there is nothing to change. Have a spare cut and leave it with someone nearby.

Can I call at night or on a weekend?

Yes. The service runs 24/7, so you can call any hour, every day of the week.

Locked out right now, anywhere in Larchmont? Call Larchmont Locksmith NY at (914) 255-6611.