Getting locked out of your own home can be an incredible nuisance, especially if you have things to do and places to be. Despite this, getting locked out is not the end of the world. Everyone forgets or loses their keys at some point or another in their lives, and people generally live to tell the tale. If the worst does happen, and you find yourself stranded outside of your front door, there are a few things you can try to fix the situation. Above all else, try not to stress yourself out.

1. Search for an unlocked door and window

While ideally, for the security of your home, you will leave all of your doors and windows locked when you leave the house and no one's home, it's worth taking a walk around the property to see if there is a way in. This may mean you'll have to jump the fence to check whether there's an open entryway at the back. If this is the case, be careful. You don't want to be locked out and injured at the same time.

2. Call someone for help

Assuming you've searched for an open entrance and knocked (or desperately pounded) on the doors and windows to try to get the attention of any roommates or family members who may or may not be inside, it's time to pull out your cell and call for help. You might feel like you're being annoying by asking a housemate to drive home and let you in, but in truth they would expect the same from you if your roles were reversed. Make the favour up to them later by buying them dinner or giving them a lift if they ever need it.

If you're renting, it's also a good idea to try calling your landlord. Landlords almost always have a spare key for the properties they own. It goes without saying that you can reduce your worries in these situations by preparing for them. Save your landlord's number in your phone or even consider giving a spare key to a nearby friend or neighbour so that you don't have to call anyone home when you get locked out.

3. Try to get in using a card or by removing the door knob

If you've got a standard-spring bolt door, you may be able to use the credit-card method to open the door. Pick a laminated card you don't mind breaking, such as a video rental or expired voucher card, and insert it between the door and door frame. Push the door, wiggle the card and attempt to bend the card in order to slide the latch open. Another method is to remove the door knob entirely using a paper clip or hair pin to unscrew it. These methods may or may not work. If they do, you should probably consider calling a locksmith to install a better lock. If you can get in, anyone could.

4. Ring a locksmith

If none of the above methods work, enlisting the help of a professional locksmith is your best bet. If this is the case, use your Internet access to compare prices. Some locksmiths charge a call-out fee in addition to a service fee. Others don't. At the end of the day, it will be worth the price to finally get inside your house.