In this world where multi-tasking has become a norm and the pace of life seems to go on a fast forward motion, it is very easy to commit mistakes such as getting locked out your house or car.

There are times that in your haste to catch an urgent schedule or looming deadline, you just walk out the door and pull it closed only to realize that you had not brought the keys with you. This makes you stressed. The possible consequence of this little lapse of memory is too much, and you begin to ask yourself whether you had turned the faucet or oven off.

Leaving keys inside the house or car can lead to unnecessary expenses. The thought of accidents happening can leave you stressed out. But even if everything is alright inside your house, you still have to find a way to get back in, and this usually means damage and unnecessary expenses.

Here are some tips to help you get back in to your house in case you are locked out:

1. Stay Calm

You don’t need to panic when you lock yourself out of your house or car. You need to remain composed to be able to figure out a better way to solve your problem, and worrying about consequences can’t help.

2. Determine the Urgency

The first thing you need to do is to figure out the urgency of your need to get back in. Try to make a mental work-back of the activities you had before you came out of your house. Go around your home to listen for water or appliances running. If you can find a way to take a peek in your kitchen to make sure that the stove is off, do it. These can help you determine the urgency of your need to get back in. Once you are sure that everything is alright, you may relax and leave the job to the experts.

3. Break in Only When Necessary

If you really think that an accident is looming like a candle burning, you really have to find the quickest way to get into your house. But before you decide to break anything, you need to try other means to enter your home without destroying anything, like an open window where you can climb in or by asking other members of your family for a copy of a key to your house.

If there’s no other way for you to enter your house, breaking in is really necessary especially if the situation calls for your immediate action. In this instance, you should consider the cost when you decide what to destroy in the process. If you choose to break a glass window, you should not do it with your bare hands to avoid injury. Once you’re sure it’s safe to enter, you can crawl your way into your house to put everything in order.

4. Call a Locksmith

A locksmith is a professional who has the skills to open locked doors at the least possible damage and costs. He is the best person to run to if you are locked out of your house or car.

These are some of the most effective ways to enter your house if you are locked out. But it is always important to prepare for the unexpected so that you can avoid this problem, and one of the best ways to do it is to safely hide an extra key outside.