Emergency Locksmith in Naperville, IL

What counts as urgent in Naperville

A lock problem becomes an emergency when waiting puts someone at risk or leaves a home or business open. Northeastern Illinois weather raises the stakes on ordinary problems.

• Winter storms. In the February 2011 storm, O'Hare recorded 20.2 inches of snow, Chicago's third-largest total in 120 years of records, with gusts over 60 mph. Being locked out in weather like that is a shelter problem first: get to a neighbor's house, a heated car or an open business, then deal with the lock.
• Heavy rain. NOAA's summary says 2-inch precipitation extremes have been running above average since 1990, so a door that swelled in a storm and no longer latches is a realistic overnight problem.
• Someone at risk inside. A child or vulnerable adult locked in a house or car, or anyone with a medical problem behind a locked door, is a 911 call first.
• A break-in. Contact the Naperville Police Department before anything else, and call 911 if anyone is in danger.

After a break-in

Ask the police whether the damaged door, frame and lock should be left as they are until officers have seen them, and keep the report number. After that, the first job is making the door secure again and the second is a proper fix. The Naperville Police Department publishes burglary prevention guidance on doors, deadbolts and strike plates, and it is a sensible yardstick when a damaged lock needs lock replacement.

If an intruder may have come in through the garage, check the door between the garage and the house as well as the overhead door. If keys were taken, have the locks they fit rekeyed rather than only repaired; see lock rekeying.

What to send

1. The address and nearest cross streets.
2. What happened, whether police have been called, and the report number if you have one.
3. Which door or lock is affected, with photos of any damage.
4. Whether anyone is locked out or locked in, and where they are waiting.

For a plain lockout, see house lockout. The Naperville page has the city's police guidance and housing notes.