A safe typically holds very valuable or important items, so when a person tries to get inside their safe and cannot, it can cause a bit of panic. Fortunately, resolving an issue with a safe is not nearly as exhausting as you might believe. Learn about some of the issues that could keep you out of your safe.

Lock Friction

Friction can be a problem inside a lock. A lock is not a single structure; it is instead made up of several different moving parts. Therefore, when the lock is not lubricated occasionally, friction will prevent the moving parts from rotating as they need to, and as a result, you will not be able to get inside the safe. In some scenarios, this failure can even cause the key to break inside the lock. If the damage occurs, you will need to call a locksmith.

Loss of Power

If your safe is electronic, the reason you have been denied entry could be as simple as a loss of power. Large commercial safes often have an independent power source, but with the average home safe, it is not the case. As a result, if the batteries fail and age or the breaker that supports the safe is turned off, you will be locked out of the safe. Take a moment to check its power source to see if this is the issue. 

Lockout Mode

Most safes have built-in safety mechanisms to help keep intruders out. One of these mechanisms is an automatic lockout mode. For a code-based safe, if the incorrect code is entered a certain number of times within a set period, such as three wrong entries in 60 seconds, the safe will go into lockout mode. So, even if you enter the wrong code three times but get it right on the 4th try within 60 seconds, the lock will deactivate for a certain length of time.

Bolt Damage

Bolt damage could also be to blame if you are unable to get inside your safe. Sometimes, the bolt inside the lock can jam. It can jam for a variety of reasons, including poor handling, age, and rust. Once the bolt is jammed, you will not get inside the safe without a locksmith, as each type of safe will have a different type of bolt style. It is certainly best to call a locksmith in this instance. 

It is important to note that while it is possible to repair a safe that will not open, the task is one best left to a professional. If you do not handle the safe with care, it can become increasingly harder to get into the safe without severely damaging it. Call a locksmith for assistance.