Emergencies · updated November 2026
Locked Out? What to Do First

Step by step: what to do first

1. Check for danger. If a child, a vulnerable adult or a pet is locked inside, or something is cooking or running, call 911 first.
2. Try every door. Back, side, basement, garage and porch doors. Do not climb to a window or force a door; repairs cost more than a locksmith.
3. Call for a spare. Family, a roommate, a trusted neighbor, or your landlord or property manager if you rent.
4. Check remote options. A smart lock app, a garage keypad, your car’s connected app or a roadside plan may get you in.
5. Call a locksmith. Ask for a price range for the whole job and when they can arrive.
6. Have proof ready. Photo ID with your address, a lease or a utility bill, or your vehicle registration.

What to tell the locksmith when you call

A clear description gets the right tools to the right door on the first visit and a more accurate price range.

• The full address, and which door or vehicle is locked
• Where the key is: inside, lost, or broken in the lock
• The type of lock if you know it: knob, deadbolt, mortise, keypad
• For a car: year, make, model and where it is parked
• Whether anyone or anything inside needs urgent attention
• A photo of the lock, if you can take one

Car lockouts: what is different?

Modern cars have tight door seals, side airbags and wiring inside the doors, so improvised tools like coat hangers can cause expensive damage. Professional lockout tools are designed to open the door without harming paint, glass or seals.

Before calling, check whether your car’s connected app or your roadside plan can unlock it remotely. If your keys are lost rather than locked inside, you need a new key, not a lockout.

How do you avoid a lockout scam?

Lockouts are when people are most at risk of being overcharged. A few warning signs apply to any locksmith you call, including us.

• A very low “service fee” on the phone with no range for the whole job
• Pressure to drill or replace the lock right away
• No questions about who you are or proof that you live there
• A price that jumps once the door is open
• Cash only, with no itemized invoice

An honest locksmith gives a range first, tries non-destructive entry, checks your ID, confirms the final price before starting and gives you an invoice.

What does a lockout cost in Fall River?

These are estimated market ranges, not confirmed prices. Time of day, the type of lock and whether any parts are needed afterward move the price.

If you rent in a multi-family house

In Fall River’s two- and three-family houses, a lockout may involve the shared front door as well as your unit. Your landlord may have keys to both, so call them first.

If you cannot reach them, a locksmith can still help once you show proof that you live there. Check your lease too: some require you to contact the landlord before calling anyone else.

How do you stop it happening again?

• Leave a spare with a trusted neighbor or family member, not under the mat or a fake rock
• Consider a keypad lock on one door so a code always works
• Keep a spare car key at home, not in the car
• Replace worn keys before they snap; cut new ones from an original or by code
• Service locks that stick, so they do not fail when you are outside