Locksmith guides: what to do, in plain steps

Locked out right now?

Start here if you are standing outside a car, a home or a safe.

• Locked out of your car? What to do right now

  If a child, a pet or anyone is at risk inside, call 911 now. If not, try the free fixes first: a spare key, your roadside plan or your carmaker's app.

• Locked out of your house? What to do now

  If anyone or anything inside is in danger, call 911. If not, try every free way in first, then call a locksmith who checks that you live there.

• Locked out of your safe? What to try first

  Try the free fixes first: fresh batteries, the backup key and the maker's code recovery. If you are still locked out, a safe tech starts with no-damage methods and drills only as a last resort.

Lost or need car keys?

How replacement keys are made and programmed, and what to have ready.

• Lost all your car keys? How to get a new one

  Yes, a new key can be made without the original. It is cut from the car's key code and programmed at the car; bring proof you own it and the VIN.

• How does car key programming work?

  Most car keys since the late 1990s carry a chip the car must recognize before it starts. Programming adds that chip to the car's list of allowed keys.

Making a home secure

Decisions to make after a move, a lost key or a lock upgrade.

• Rekey or replace your locks: which do you need?

  Rekey when your locks work well and you only need old keys to stop working. Replace when a lock is worn, damaged, weak, or not the kind of lock you want.

• Moved into a new home? Your lock checklist

  Assume someone else still has a key or a code. Rekey or replace every outside lock, reset every code and opener, and check every latch.

• Are smart locks worth it? Pros and cons

  Worth it if you lose keys, share access or want an entry log. Skip it if you won't keep up with batteries and updates, or your door won't take one.

Rentals and businesses

Keeping track of who holds which key, across units and staff.

• How should landlords and property managers control keys?

  Know every key and who holds it. Rekey at every turnover, keep a written key log, and treat codes like keys.

Staying safe

How to tell a real locksmith from a bait-and-switch call center.

• How do you spot a locksmith scam?

  Most scams start with a tiny phone quote and end with a big bill at the door. A real locksmith gives a business name and a written total, trip included, and checks your ID.

Who writes these guides?

We write them ourselves. Each guide is dated, and we change the date whenever we check it again.

We cite outside sources by name and link them, so you can check what we say. If something is wrong or out of date, tell us and we fix it and change the date at the top of the guide. More on who we are.