By definition, a safe is a secure lockable box used for protecting valuable items against theft and/or damage from fire and other natural catastrophes. Some may find the need to use their safe on a daily basis, especially for business establishments, while some will only need to open their safe on rare occasions and in emergency situations. Regardless of how often you may use your safe, you can never be prepared for a lockout situation. You might lose your mechanical key if you keep it with you for easy access or forget your access codes if you rarely use them. Even biometric access, though by far the most secure and convenient locking system, is not impervious to scanner malfunctions. This leads us to the big question: What to do if you're locked out of your safe? Here are a few things you can try to recover your safe without spending too much or causing any unnecessary damage.
Safe won't open? Check the lockout causes first
Before forcing the door, work through the lock type and power supply. The safest first checks are the battery, the lockout timer, the override key and the instructions for your exact model.
Digital keypad or dead battery
Replace the batteries with fresh cells specified for your safe and try the code slowly again. If the keypad has entered a penalty lockout after repeated incorrect codes, wait for the lockout period to finish before trying another code. Do not force the handle while the lock is beeping or flashing.
Override key or emergency power
If your safe has an override key or external emergency-power contacts, use them only as described in the manufacturer’s manual. If the battery compartment is inside the safe and you have no override method, contact the dealer with the model and serial number rather than drilling or prying the door.
When to call a locksmith
Call a qualified safe locksmith when the code, battery and approved override steps do not work. Have proof of purchase and identification ready, and ask for non-destructive opening before authorising any drilling or lock replacement.
1. Stay Calm
When you get locked out of your safe, the first thing you should do is calm your nerves. Pause for a little while until your mind is clear. Since one of the reasons for opening a safe is to take out items in an emergency situation, this might get challenging. But, do remember to be still for a few moments. Rushing to recover your valuables might cause you to react dramatically and do more harm than good. You might end up causing injury to yourself if you decide to break your safe open. Until your mind is clear enough to think of sensible solutions, do not attempt anything.
2. Find Your Spare Key Or Back-Up Access Codes.
Once you are calm, you can think about whether or not you have another way to access your safe. If the safe is locked with a key, and you've had the foresight of keeping a spare, now is the time to use it. Hopefully, they are nearby and you haven't stored those spares inside the safe itself. On the other hand, if your safe won't open with code that you remember using, call another family member or trusted employee that you've shared your code with. You might just have a few numbers confused so it could really be an easy fix if they can tell you the correct one right away.
3. Contact Your Safe Dealer.
If you are still using the default combination to the safe, your safe dealer might be able to help you unlock your safe. Gather proof of your identity and proof of your purchase and contact them to ask about providing you with the original combination. If your safe is fairly new, they should be able to have that information on file. One thing to note is that this process might require a notary public to authenticate your request for your safe combination. To save time, call your dealer to ask about all the requirements for your request before heading to their store.
4. Call A Professional Locksmith.
If none of the above-mentioned methods worked for you to recover your safe, it's time to seek professional assistance. Depending on your safe's level of security, your locksmith should be able to access your safe in a quick and non-invasive process. Their last resort should be to drill a small hole in your safe to deactivate the lock. Moreover, a good locksmith should be ready to assist you 24/7, so you wouldn't have to worry about getting locked out in the middle of the night. However, locksmith services for this particular case can be quite expensive. Consider the value of your safe and the valuables you've kept inside before hiring a locksmith. Additionally, it is always a good idea to get an estimate before enlisting their services. Compare their price with other locksmith companies to get the best value for your money. If you find that your safe and its contents are worth the price of hiring a locksmith, rest assured that it is the most effective way to resolve this problem.
Your safe should be able to provide you with protection and peace of mind, instead of causing unnecessary stress and disappointment. Remember that even the most advanced safes are not immune to accidents and lockout situations. Do your best to keep your safe functioning as intended and be mindful when keeping your keys and lock codes. And if you still find yourself in this situation, remember the tips on what to do if locked out of your safe.
For more information on the use and care of security safes, contact our friendly professionals at Buy A Safe. We offer a wide range of safes and vaults, including home safes, fireproof safes, gun safes, drug safes, and many more. Call us today on 1300 405 200.
