House Lockout in Greensboro, NC

Which door is locked

In White Oak New Town, the mill village along North Church, Spruce, Hubbard and Cypress streets, the Cone family's Proximity Manufacturing Company built 100 houses around 1920. At almost all of them the small rear porch has since been enclosed, so the back entry can be two doors: the porch door and the original rear door behind it. Tell the person you call whether one or both are locked and which one your key fits.

College Hill adds a different question. Its 1993 National Register nomination records new apartment buildings on Spring Garden and South Mendenhall streets, and Census estimates put renters at close to half of Greensboro households. If you are shut out of a building, the shared entrance is normally the owner's or manager's lock, so call them as well. They may be able to let you into the building even if your own unit door still needs help.

What to have ready

A locksmith needs reason to believe you live in a home before opening it. Be ready to show:

• photo ID with the address, or, once you are inside, mail or a utility bill in your name
• a lease if you rent, or a deed or closing papers if you own
• the name and number of your landlord or manager, if you rent

If your wallet is inside, say so. Note whether the door has a knob lock, a deadbolt or both, and whether another door is unlocked.

While you wait outside

NOAA describes North Carolina as humid, with very warm summers and moderately cold winters, so pick a sheltered spot such as a car or a neighbor's porch and keep your phone with you. If a child or anyone who needs care is alone inside, call 911 instead of waiting.

North Carolina Locksmith Pros takes service requests from homes, businesses and drivers in Greensboro. Once you are back in, lock rekeying is the usual next step if a lost key may be with someone else. More on the visit itself is on the house lockout page, and the Greensboro page covers the neighborhoods above.