Security tips
Most lockouts come from a few avoidable habits, and most damage comes from how people react. Fix these five mistakes and you will be locked out less often, with less cost when it does happen.
Many people simply have no backup. When the only key is inside, every option becomes more expensive and more stressful.
Give a spare to a trusted friend, relative or neighbor who lives nearby. Keep a copy of your car key at home and a copy of your house key at work if that is practical.
Getting extra keys cut is quick and inexpensive. Our key cutting service can make copies during any home visit, and a mobile locksmith can also duplicate many car keys.
Under the mat, above the door frame, inside a fake rock or a planter: these are the first places a burglar checks. A hidden key that anyone can find is not a backup, it is an open invitation.
Also avoid labeling your key ring with your name or address. If you lose it, a tag like that tells a stranger exactly which door it opens. A simple color-coded cap is a safer way to tell keys apart.
If you must keep a key on the property, a lockbox with a code is a better choice than a hiding spot. Better still, use a keypad deadbolt so there is no key to lose in the first place.
When people get frustrated, they push, pry, shoulder the door or try to climb through a window. That often ends with a broken frame, a cracked pane or an injury.
The repair bill for a split door jamb or a shattered window usually costs far more than calling a professional. Climbing to an upper-floor window adds the risk of a serious fall.
A locksmith uses careful non-destructive entry methods where the lock allows and can usually get you inside with little or no repair needed.
The same goes for cars. Wire tools and wedges can scratch paint, tear weatherstripping and damage the wiring inside the door. What feels like a clever shortcut often ends at the body shop.
In a panic, it is easy to tap the first ad in a search. Some of those listings belong to call centers that send untrained workers and inflate prices once they arrive.
Before you agree to anything, ask for the company name and a quote that covers the full job. Advantage Lock And Key Los Angeles gives a quote before work begins and dispatches from Los Angeles, CA 90066.
Better yet, save a trusted locksmith's number today. Our guide on avoiding locksmith scams has more warning signs to watch for.
A key that sticks, a bolt that does not fully extend or a knob that turns loosely are warning signs. Many lockouts happen because a worn lock finally gives out, sometimes with the key snapping off inside.
Getting the lock repaired or replaced while it still works is cheaper and calmer than dealing with a failure. Our residential locksmith team handles lock repair, replacement and broken key extraction.
A few small routines go a long way toward never standing outside your own door again.
If you do get locked out, call 310-819-3002 to check availability. We accept major credit cards.
Teach these habits to kids and teenagers as well. A child who knows to check for keys before closing the door, and who knows which neighbor holds the spare, is far less likely to end up stuck on the porch after school.
A deadbolt adds a solid steel bolt that a spring latch cannot match, making a door much harder to force. Choosing the right grade, cylinder type and strike plate setup makes the biggest difference.
Read the articleRekeying changes the inside of a lock so old keys stop working and a new key takes over, without replacing the hardware. It is a cost-effective choice after a move, a lost key or a change in who has access.
Read the article
A locksmith can walk your property, check every way in, and point out the weak spots a burglar would look for first. You get a clear list of fixes, from simple habit changes to hardware upgrades.
Read the articleWith a trusted person who lives nearby, or in a coded lockbox. Avoid doormats and planters. Our key cutting service can make extra copies.
Yes. A small repair now often prevents a lockout or broken key later. Our residential team can check and service it.
Call 310-819-3002 to check today's availability in your part of Los Angeles.