Locked Out of a Safe? Don't Drill It Yet.

A locked safe feels like a disaster. It usually isn't. In our shop, more than 80% of "stuck" safes open without drilling.

Diagnose before you drill The three most common causes are a dead battery (on digital safes), a slightly off combination dial, and a worn handle linkage. None of those require destroying the safe.

Dead battery? Try this Most digital home safes have an external 9V terminal hidden behind the keypad or under a sticker. A fresh battery held against it for 30 seconds gives you enough power to enter the code and open the safe. Then replace the internal batteries — and write the override key location somewhere you'll find it next time.

Combination you "almost" remember Manual dial safes have manipulation tolerance of plus or minus two digits. If you remember 23-45-12, try 21-43-12, 25-47-12, and so on. Always turn the dial cleanly — overshoot and back to zero, then restart.

When to call us If the safe is bolted to the floor, contains documents or valuables you can't replace, or is a gun safe — call before you do anything. We open most home and office safes in under an hour, and your contents stay intact.