The most frustrating situations are the ones where there seems to be no solution. Getting locked out of a safe? That qualifies. If you’ve suddenly found yourself with a need to fix a lock on your safe, you might feel like there is no adequate or easy solution. What do you do?
Stop. Breathe. Read this article. From calling a locksmith and attempting a DIY repair to destroying or throwing out the safe, here are both the good and bad options you have.
1. Destroy It (If You Can)
Let’s get this out of the way first: this is a BAD option! Different safes offer different levels of protection—that’s why there are safe ratings, after all—but you’re more likely to injure yourself or others than the safe itself if you attempt to destroy it. Methods for attempting to destroy a safe range from the relatively safe (like a crowbar) to the flat-out dangerous (like dynamite), but you’re much better off with the other options on this list.
2. Attempt a DIY Repair
It’s possible that you may be able to repair the safe, depending on what’s wrong with it. If it has a traditional lock with a key, for example, the key may have been snapped off and you might be able to get it out. If you’re tech-savvy, you might be able to reprogram a digital or combination lock. For any DIY repair, though, you’re going to be hard-pressed to find a solution (even if you do online research and watch lots of videos) that doesn’t require professional expertise.
3. Throw It Away
If you’ve lost the key, forgotten the combination or the safe is otherwise inaccessible, you might think throwing it away is your only option. Or, you might just not want to deal with the hassles of opening it if there are no valuable items inside. If the safe is old and empty, this might be a good option. But if it’s a newer safe, an expensive safe or a safe with valuables still inside it, you don’t want to leave it at a landfill or anything. Try to get it open first!
4. Call a Locksmith
The last option (but the best option) is to call a professional locksmith. They have specialized tools and years of experience opening locked safes, so they’ll be able to figure out a better solution than the average homeowner. A professional locksmith can make you a new key for your safe, reprogram digital or combination locks and help you safely access the contents of your safe. They can also give you options for a new safe—preferably one that helps you avoid situations like this from happening again in the future.
Whether you need to fix a lock on your safe or you’re in need of a new safe, contact the team at A-1 Locksmith today.
