It happens more than you'd think. Late night, tired, keys somewhere you can't get to, and you're standing on your own doorstep. First thing: take a breath. You'll get back in. Here's what to do.

Stay calm and stay safe

If it's late and you're on your own, think about where you're standing first. Stay somewhere visible, ideally near a streetlight. Don't stand in a dark alley or side passage while you work out what to do. If you feel unsafe at any point, move somewhere public or call someone who can come and wait with you.

Check everything before you do anything else

Before you call anyone, do a quick check of every door and window. You'd be surprised how often a back door is unlocked, or a kitchen window has been left on the latch. It takes two minutes and it's saved plenty of people a callout fee.

Don't try to break in yourself

This one is important. Trying to force your own lock or prise a door open almost always ends badly. You'll damage the door, the frame, or the lock, and in some cases hurt yourself. It can also look suspicious to neighbours at that time of night, which is the last thing you need. Leave it alone.

Call a locksmith you can trust

Don't just grab the first result on Google. Some companies run ads that look local but are actually national call centres. They send out a subcontractor, charge a premium for the callout, and can be evasive about pricing until they're on the doorstep.

A trustworthy locksmith will answer the phone themselves, give you a clear price before they come out, and be able to tell you roughly when they'll arrive. If they can't tell you the cost upfront, call someone else.

Things worth checking: are they DBS checked? Are they local? Do they have verifiable reviews you can look at? These questions take 60 seconds to ask and they matter.

What I cover, and when

I cover the whole Wirral, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There's no extra charge for nights or weekends. When you call, I'll answer, give you a price, and tell you when I'll be there. No surprises on the doorstep.

What to do while you wait

Stay visible, stay warm if you can. If a neighbour is up, let them know what's going on. If you've got a car nearby, wait in it. Have your phone charged so you can stay in contact. And don't worry. Getting back in is straightforward once the right person shows up.