Should You Call 911 or a Locksmith?

When something goes wrong with a lock, most people look for a locksmith. Most of the time, that's the right call.

Sometimes it isn't. If someone's safety is on the line, your first call is 911 — not a locksmith, and not LockUnlocked.

This page is meant to make that choice faster when you're stressed, not to scare you or send you in circles.

If someone is injured, unconscious, or needs urgent medical help, don't spend time searching for a locksmith. Call 911.

Same rule if a young child is locked inside a vehicle and heat, cold, or how they look puts them at risk. That is not a "wait for a van" problem. Call 911 immediately.

Fire, the smell of gas, a break-in in progress, or any real threat to life or safety — same answer. Emergency services first. Lock work comes later, if it's still needed.

If nobody is in danger and you just need access or lock work, that's a locksmith job:

• You lost your keys
• You locked yourself out of a home or car
• A key broke in the lock
• You can't unlock the car and there's no medical or safety emergency
• You need locks rekeyed or replaced

That's what LockUnlocked is for. Submit your ZIP and a short description; a local locksmith can call with timing and price. We route locksmith requests. We are not emergency services.

Not sure which bucket you're in? Use the short emergency or locksmith check — pick the closest situation and it points you to 911 or a request form.

A company that always says "call us first" isn't helping you. If the right first call is 911, we should say that.

Most people will never need this page. If it helps one person make the right call when it matters, it was worth publishing.

When the danger is handled and you still need the door or car opened, request a locksmith. We'll be here for the lock — after safety comes first.