# Need answer fast: unlocking front door with key in lock on inside **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 14, 2013, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-unlocking-front-door-with-key-in-lock-on-inside/658307 "2013-05-14T11:46:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BobArrgh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobarrgh/32/2881_2.png) [@BobArrgh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobArrgh)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2013, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-unlocking-front-door-with-key-in-lock-on-inside/658307/21 "2013-05-14T21:37:13Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Well that was anti-climactic. Couldn’t you jazz it up a little? The wife taught the baby how to hold its breath and slide under the door. Then, using a high, squeaky voice to coax the child into standing up, she was able to get the baby to turn the key, opening the door from the inside. Better? ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2013, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-unlocking-front-door-with-key-in-lock-on-inside/658307/22 "2013-05-14T21:42:46Z")
I have a front door, three exterior doors on the back of the house, a door from the house to the garage, and an exterior door from the garage. I jave pinned them all to the same key. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-unlocking-front-door-with-key-in-lock-on-inside/658307/23 "2013-05-15T01:08:51Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > double cylinder locks are a fire hazard when used in dwellings. if the house was on fire and you had to exit and the key was not in the lock then you might die. they may be against various building regulations because of this. Yeah, they’re not legal under the Massachusetts residential building code. All windows and doors must be able to be opened from the inside “without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort.” Glad to hear the OP’s family got in OK, though. ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-unlocking-front-door-with-key-in-lock-on-inside/658307/24 "2013-05-15T01:21:54Z")
> [@BobArrgh](#): > > The wife taught the baby how to hold its breath and slide under the door. Then, using a high, squeaky voice to coax the child into standing up, she was able to get the baby to turn the key, opening the door from the inside. > > Better? Was this to the tune of Mission Impossible? ---
**Author:** ![jacobsta811](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jacobsta811/32/2893_2.png) [@jacobsta811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacobsta811)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-unlocking-front-door-with-key-in-lock-on-inside/658307/25 "2013-05-15T01:38:04Z")
> **[Prime-Line U 9970 Deadlock – Jimmy-Resistant Design Prohibits Forced Entry by...](https://www.amazon.com/Prime-Line-Products-9970-Cylinder-Jimmy-Proof/dp/B000BDB4Q0)** > > Product Description Protect yourself and your family against intruders with our strong, durable deadlock. The jimmy-resistant design prohibits forced entry by spreading of door frames. It provides added security to your home by securing your... > **[National Hardware N197-970 V1922 Flush Bolt in Solid Brass - Barrel Bolts -...](https://www.amazon.com/National-Hardware-N197-970-V1922-Flush/dp/B000B4IT9E)** > > Product Description National Hardware N197-970 V1922 Flush Bolt in Solid Brass From the Manufacturer Designed to secure doors, cabinets, casement windows, etc., in a vertical or horizontal position. > **[National Hardware N335-984 804 Door Security Guards in Nickel - Door Lock -...](https://www.amazon.com/National-Hardware-N335-984-Security-Guards/dp/B001RUEWUQ)** > > Product Description National Hardware N335-984 804 Door Security Guards in Nickel. From the Manufacturer Designed to provide increased security for wood or metal doors. Guard allows door to be opened slightly for... Adding a door security guard or surface bolt to the inside of the door is a heck of lot better design if you want additional security for a residence than a door that can take a key on the inside. Those are such a huge fire hazard I would have removed them all immediately if I had any when I bought my home. If you don’t physically leave the key in the lock, how quickly can you open the door in a panicked state, perhaps inhaling smoke, etc? Far larger danger than burglary. Edit to add, glad you got back in though. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-unlocking-front-door-with-key-in-lock-on-inside/658307/26 "2013-05-15T02:51:14Z")
There are so many kinds of locks. I wonder if there’s any way to summarise them? For example, the outside can be: [ul] [li]Always locked and needs key to open (hotel room doors)[/li][li]Lockable/unlockable[/li][li]Lockable/unlockable/you can use the key to open the door without unlocking it - when you remove the key, it’s still locked[/li][li]Can be locked without a key (either it’s always locked, or when locked, can still slam shut)[/li][/ul] The inside can be: [ul] [li]Lockable/unlockable with a knob (not the doorknob)[/li][li]Lockable/unlockable with a button. Cannot be opened without unlocking (bathroom/bedroom doors)[/li][li]Lockable/unlockable with a key[/li][li]Always unlockable (hotel room door)[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_York](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_York](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_York)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-unlocking-front-door-with-key-in-lock-on-inside/658307/27 "2013-05-15T09:38:17Z")
> [@Motorgirl](#): > > Yeah, they’re not legal under the Massachusetts residential building code. All windows and doors must be able to be opened from the inside “without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort.” > . In Australia you get a cheaper quote on your house insurance if the doors are deadlocked. I have 3 external doors on my house and not only do they have deadlocks, but they also have additional deadlocked metal security doors. I know it’s a fire risk but there are a lot of house break ins in this country. I could always break a window. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-unlocking-front-door-with-key-in-lock-on-inside/658307.md?page=1)