- Locksmith & Home Security Technician
- Getting a career diploma in as little as 2 months.
- Gain experience with practical exercises and interactive assignments.
- Learn how to identify, create, and duplicate keys.
- Learn to work with several types of locks including safes, valuts, and auto.
- and more...
There are many reasons why you need the combination for your safe:
- Your safe combination is lost.
- The combination is inside the safe you can’t unlock.
- You bought a new property with a safe without a combination.
There are several ways to get into your safe without a key or combination.
When the safe is open, you can reset the code.
If you have the override key, your locksmith can make a spare key for you.
If your safe is locked, your locksmith can get the original code from your manufacturer.
Your locksmith can professionally drill your safe so you can continue using it.
Your locksmith can decode, change the password of a dial safe, or reset the lock to a factory setting.
Other options won’t damage the unit before you decide to drill and break in manually.
Start with less damaging options to save money and protect your valuables inside.
Table of Contents
Type of Safe Locks
There are numerous kinds of safes are in demand.
It could be fireproof safes, gun safes, de-mountable safes, and luxury safes.
However, many safes are under two categories, key lock safes, digital safes, and dial safes.
Key Safe
Key Safe is an old-fashioned safe using a key.
It is a robust mechanical metal box ideal for storing money and valuables.
You can bolt or install this Safe in a concrete or brick wall, and you can access the key using a combination code.
It is troublesome if you lose the key.
The access code is only known to you and anyone with access to the safe.
You can access the key during emergencies.
All locking safes have two keys.
Combination Safe
Combination Safe is another analog-type Safe that requires manually turning the dial to specific patterns.
A dial safe has been a classic choice for people for hundreds of years.
Most people favor dial safes over electronic safes as they do not rely on batteries and power cords.
Dial safes are sturdier and longer lasting than digital choices.
A first-rate dial safe can survive you a lifetime.
It’s classic that it will not be obsolete even with modern technology.
Electronic Lock
An electronic safe is currently the most popular.
It runs on a battery.
This safe lock needs you to input the correct number sequence to unlock it.
The correct combination will put the tumblers in the proper position and unlock the door.
Many programmed safes have crisis keys to open the bolt if you forget your combination access.
You will find the bolt opening at the back of the safe.
Alternatively, smaller safes have it around the base.
The electronic lock safe is a bit advanced.
They also work like the classic safe requiring a key six-digit combination on the keypad.
This keypad is battery-operated.
When you enter the correct combination, it engages the mechanism so you can turn the handle and open the door.
Get the Safe’s Brand, Model, and Serial Number
You need to find the brand, model, and serial number, so your locksmith can research it.
This is the information they need to use appropriate measures to recover and reset the codes to unlock your safe.
It will give them an idea of where to look for security measures.
Different manufacturers have different security measures.
Give your locksmith as much information as they need to find the best solutions.
If you are calling the manufacturer, a purchase receipt will help.
What you have could be a dial safe that requires you to rotate the combination number.
You could have an electronic safe with push buttons.
Cheaply made safes are not for pricey content.
Choose a well-made one if you keep tens of thousands of dollars in it.
Brand
The most important thing to do is determine the safe you have.
Your safe brand is easier to locate.
Most manufacturers place this on the safe door.
Model
Finding the safe model is trickier.
Many manufacturers put the model number on the back of the safe.
If your safe is heavy, you can not retrieve it.
Call your manufacturer if you can’t find the model number and provide them with the serial number.
If you have a SentrySafe model, the location depends on the type of safe you purchased.
As for the fire-protected safe models, the model number is either on the front of the unit, the faceplate, or near the logo.
If you have a Steal-Safe product, it is on the front door panel or the front side of the owner’s manual.
To find the model number of gun-safe units, look at the serial number on the right side or in the back.
Serial Number
For security purposes, do not affix the serial numbers in the body.
You can find the serial numbers at the back or near the bottom corner of the safe.
Do not fret because if you still have the purchase receipt, you have the brand and type information in it.
If you do not, show the picture of your safe to your locksmith.
Do not panic.
This situation will end up damaging your safe.
Retrieve Combination or Override Code
There is no need to call a professional locksmith to try one of these.
Most manufacturers provide this data over the phone for safety purposes.
When you’re locked out of your safe, call your manufacturer first.
If they can’t help, call a professional locksmith.
After checking the type of safe you have, verify if they have an override key if you forgot the combination.
Key overrides will allow you alternative access to your safe.
Maybe you didn’t know about an override key.
Many people don’t read the user manual when they buy a safe.
Besides, not all safes have override keys.
Read through the manual to find out if your safe has it.
This method is like using a spare key.
It will save you time and money.
Consequently, if you don’t have an override key, don’t panic.
Try a change key instead.
Safe Dial Combination Retrieval
Check if your safe has a change key.
If you have a dial safe, you have the serial number with you, your locksmith can retrieve the safe combination.
On the assumption that you did not change the combination, he can open the safe.
Your locksmith can reset the combination to your liking.
Or restore the safe dial with an electronic lock.
If you have a safe without mechanical override, check if it has a change key.
It will help you amend the combination on your keypad and access your safe.
This option does not work for all safes, but it’s worth a try.
More often than not, you will thrust the key into a small hole in the back of the safe.
You can find the instructions in the user manual.
Even if you exhausted all these methods, don’t worry.
You can always call a locksmith.
If your safe has a mechanical override, you’re lucky.
In its absence, you can use a change key.
It is exceedingly useful if you forgot your combination code.
However, the change key is not a universal solution.
You might need to input the old password.
Electronic Combination Override
If you have a safe with an electronic lock, you can use the serial number as the master override code.
The override code will rectify the lock, and the original combination will work.
If you call a locksmith to help you with this predicament, they have to go to your location to verify the owner.
They will not risk cracking the safe without verifiable information.
Home safes come with a key to override the combination.
If the owner forgot it, use the key to open the safe.
If you have an old safe and misplaced the key, get a replacement from your manufacturer.
Identify what safe you have.
Check for the override key to access the safe.
Once you access the internal keypad, find the long and thin rod.
A wire hanger is your best bet.
Thrust the rod and hit the reset button.
Hold the rod for 10 seconds.
Encode your untried combination in the internal keypad and hit save.
You should hear a beeping sound when the code is successful.
If you didn’t hear it, have the set button again.
Enter the new combination and set the new combination code.
If you contact the safe manufacturer or locksmith tell them what measures you have tried.
You can provide them with the purchase information.
It includes the serial number, brand, and safe type.
Professionally Opening a Safe via Drilling
Your professional locksmith can open your safe as a last resort.
He needs the serial number to get to the drill ends.
He will know the exact spot to drill without triggering the security measures.
Drilling the safe will pull the current lock and crack through the front to take the pieces.
If you have the serial number and the model of your safe, your locksmith can drill and repair it, so it still functions as a new lock.
He will drill the pilot hole to determine the drill access.
Without it, may trigger the security mechanism requiring more drilling.
The safe’s body will be damaged and need replacement.
The hole is in the door and pierced with a steel rod.
Since this hole is within the electronic lock of the old safe dial, the restoration will not be visible.
The safe will not display any cracks.
Call a Locksmith
If you can’t open your safe by yourself, call a locksmith.
This method is the fastest because locksmiths know how to execute the job faster.
Always choose a reputable and licensed locksmith to open your lock.
He needs the manufacturer and safe model information to know a particular feature.
The information will help him determine the best technique with the tiniest damage.
Call your manufacturer before the locksmith starts working on the safe to keep your warranty.
As soon as he opens the safe, he can change the combination even if you forgot the old one.
Your locksmith can use the manipulation method if your safe is closed.
As the last option, he can drill the safe.
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