If it's urgent
What to tell us
Urgent lockout and lock help for homes, vehicles, and businesses, starting with a clear conversation about what is possible.
- Your exact location and a phone number where you can be reached
- A short description of what happened
- Photo ID and proof of residence, ownership, or authorization, or tell us if they are locked inside
If anyone is in danger, call 911 first.
Emergency Locksmith in WashingtonSpokane notes
Updated 2 sources
What counts as urgent in Spokane
An emergency is a safety problem, not an inconvenience. In Spokane it usually comes down to weather, an unsecured door or a threat to someone's safety:
- Cold. Spokane sits on the drier east side of the state, where cold snaps can leave locks iced up. Being shut out on a January night with nowhere warm to wait is urgent, as is an exterior door that will not latch.
- A child or pet in a car. Call 911 first. Do not wait for a locksmith.
- A door that will not lock. After a break-in or a failed lock, a home left open overnight needs securing.
- Personal safety. A lock may need to change because someone who holds a key is a risk.
After a break-in
Call the police first and keep away from the damaged door until officers have seen it. A forced door often has a split frame or torn strike, and a new lock cannot hold until that is repaired or reinforced, so describe the damage in your request and ask about lock replacement.
Changing locks for your safety as a tenant
Under RCW 59.18.575(4), if a tenant or household member is a victim of sexual assault, stalking or unlawful harassment by a landlord, the tenant may change or add locks at the tenant's expense. Within seven days the tenant must give the landlord written notice plus a copy of a valid order for protection or a written record of a report signed by a qualified third party. The rental agreement then ends on the 90th day after notice unless, within 60 days, the tenant tells the landlord in writing that they do not wish to end it.
Common-area locks may not be changed. In a converted Browne's Addition mansion, that would generally mean the unit door, not the shared street door. This is general information, not legal advice.
What to send
- What happened, and whether anyone is at risk right now
- Whether police have been called
- The neighborhood and nearest cross streets, and where you are waiting
- Which door or vehicle, and the state of the lock and frame
If you are simply locked out and safe, see house lockout. The emergency locksmith page describes the service itself.
Sources
Public records and references this page draws on. They are outside USA Locksmith Pros and open in a new tab.