If you've lost your keys to your car or house, you may be tempted to try to break in rather than call a locksmith. While you're certainly free to try this with your own car or home, you might consider why this could be both damaging and dangerous for you. A locksmith is always a better option in these cases; note the following:

1. You could easily damage your home or car

Breaking into a car isn't as easy as it looks in the movies, and you can easily break a window by trying to slide something into the car and unlock the door, or break the lock tumbler by trying to pick the lock. Either of these can be a very costly repair, much more so than the cost of an emergency locksmith.

Trying to break into your own home can be just as tricky. You might bend a window frame or break a window lock if you were to force it open, and if you climb into the window and reach for furniture inside for balance, something could easily topple and break. Rather than risk all this damage, it's good to call a locksmith who can open the locks quickly and easily and without damaging anything.

2. You could be at risk for a break-in

If you've lost your keys, they could be in anyone's hands. Consider if you've lost your purse or had your wallet stolen along with your keys, which means that someone could now know where you live and where those keys belong. They may not waste time in breaking in, either that same night or the next day when you're away. If you've lost your car keys, this makes it easy for someone to steal your car. This puts you and your property at risk, so call a locksmith who can change your locks on both your home and car, keeping you safe and protected.

Being at risk for a break-in is also something to consider even if you know where your keys are located. If you've left your keys in the office or at a friend's house, you don't know that someone might pick them up and make a copy of your house or car key, and then return your original keys to you. In turn, you think you're safe since you have your original keys but are still at risk for a break-in. For your own safety, have the locks changed on your house and car whenever your keys are out of your possession.

For more information, contact a company like A.A. Abel Locksmiths & Security Engineers.