Emergency Guide
If you are locked out and your child is inside your apartment or car in NYC, stay calm. Assess whether the child is in immediate danger -- if they are in a hot car, showing distress, or near hazards, call 911 first. For most apartment lockouts where the child is safe inside, calling a 24/7 emergency locksmith at (718) 412-1332 is typically the fastest way in, with arrival in roughly 15 to 20 minutes and no damage to your door.
Not every child lockout is the same. The first thing to do is determine whether this is a life-threatening emergency or a stressful but manageable situation.
Once you have assessed the situation, make the call. If it is 911, follow their instructions. If the child is safe but you need to get inside, call an emergency locksmith who handles child lockout emergencies.
When you call (718) 412-1332, tell the dispatcher:
While waiting for help, stay at the door and talk to your child. If they are old enough to understand:
For a child locked in a car, stay by the window where they can see you. If it is warm, call 911 even if the child seems okay -- car interiors heat up extremely fast.
This is the most common scenario in NYC. You stepped out to grab the mail, take out the trash, or run downstairs for a delivery, and the door closed behind you. Many NYC apartment doors -- especially in Brooklyn and Manhattan buildings -- have spring latches that lock automatically when pulled shut.
A licensed locksmith can typically open a standard NYC apartment lock in 5 to 15 minutes using non-destructive entry techniques. This means no damage to your lock or door frame. FDNY can also force entry, but they typically use forcible entry tools that may damage the door -- and you will still need a locksmith afterward to replace the lock.
Some NYC buildings have a superintendent with a master key. If yours does, try them first -- it is free and instant. But many supers are not available 24/7, do not have master keys for individual apartment locks (especially if you installed your own deadbolt), or may take a long time to respond. If the super is not immediately available and a child is inside, do not wait -- call a locksmith.
A child locked inside a car in NYC is always more urgent than an apartment lockout because of heat. Even on a mild 75-degree day, the inside of a parked car can reach 100 degrees within 20 minutes. In summer, this can become life-threatening in minutes.
When you call and mention a child is involved, a professional locksmith treats it as a priority emergency. Here is what to expect:
Once you are safely back inside, take steps to make sure this does not happen again:
If your apartment door auto-locks and you have young children, consider having a locksmith assess your lock to determine if a different lock type would reduce the risk of accidental lockouts while maintaining security. Some door security upgrades can actually make lockouts less likely.
If a child is locked inside, call 911 first for immediate danger, then call us at (718) 412-1332 for urgent lockout response.
Call 911 immediately if your child is in a hot car, showing signs of distress, is an infant or toddler left unattended near hazards, or if you cannot see or hear them. For non-emergency apartment lockouts where the child is safe inside, a locksmith is typically the faster and less disruptive option. FDNY can force entry but may damage your door.
A 24/7 emergency locksmith in NYC can typically arrive within 15 to 20 minutes depending on traffic and your borough. When you call, tell the dispatcher a child is involved so they can prioritize your call. Have your exact address and cross streets ready.
A skilled locksmith can open most residential locks and car doors without any damage using non-destructive techniques like lock picking, bypass tools, or slim jims. Drilling or forced entry is a last resort. In contrast, FDNY typically uses forcible entry tools that may damage the door frame or lock.
New York's Good Samaritan law provides some legal protection for individuals who break a car window to rescue a child in imminent danger from heat or other hazards. However, you should call 911 first and attempt other options before breaking glass. Document the situation and wait for emergency services when possible.
Keep a spare key with a trusted neighbor, family member, or in a lockbox. Never leave a child alone in a running car, even briefly. For apartment doors that auto-lock, consider a keypad deadbolt or smart lock that eliminates the key-in-hand problem. Develop a habit of checking for your keys before closing any door.