Emergency Locksmith in Springfield, IL

What makes a lock problem urgent

An emergency locksmith request is about risk, not inconvenience. Most urgent cases come down to weather or security:

• Someone is locked out in bitter cold or severe heat, especially a young child, an elderly person or someone who depends on medication. If anyone is in danger, call 911 first.
• A door will not secure after a break-in. Let the police finish first; the lock comes next.
• A storm has knocked a door out of line, so the bolt no longer meets the strike plate.
• A key has snapped in the only lock on an entry door, leaving the home stuck open or shut; see broken key extraction.
• A car is locked with the engine running, or with keys inside in dangerous weather; see car lockout.

Springfield conditions worth mentioning

• Unplowed streets. The city's snow plan says plowing every residential street can take 24 to 36 hours or longer in a significant storm. If your street has not been cleared, say so, and say where a vehicle can safely stop.
• Historic storefronts after a break-in. The Historic Sites Commission's design guidelines prefer repairing an original storefront door to replacing it. After a break-in, the first job is securing the opening; choices about an original door can wait until the owner has checked the guidelines, if the building falls under the Commission's review.
• Shared entries. Where several units share a street door, a lock that will not latch affects everyone in the building, so tell the owner or manager as well.

What to send first

1. Whether anyone is in danger; if so, call 911 before writing anything
2. The address, or the nearest cross streets
3. What happened (lockout, break-in, storm damage or a broken key), with a police report number if there is one
4. The kind of door and lock, and a photo if taking one is safe
5. Whether you own, rent or manage the property, and photo ID showing the address

Illinois Locksmith Pros takes service requests from homes, businesses and drivers in Springfield.