If you're tried of having to ruin a credit card trying to ease your door open or if you frequently need to "break in" to your house because you forgot your keys, it's time to look for other alternatives to make sure you never find yourself locked out of your apartment again. Forcing doors open can ruin the effectiveness of your locked door, and keeping your house in an "easy-to-break-into" state renders your locked doors useless anyway. You need a secure home that you can get into every time. 

1. Install a number lock.

If forgetting your keys is a big issue for you, or if you have multiple roommates who often forget to bring their keys with them when they leave, it is time to think about hiring a locksmith to install a number-pad style lock on your doors instead of one that needs a key. Choose a code that will be easy for household members to remember, but not one that is obvious to outsiders (like the last four digits of your phone number). Keep the number written in a secure place for younger children who might not remember, such as on the inside of a jacket sleeve or inside a shoe. 

2. Use a smart lock.

Smart locks take keyless entry to a new level. Like quick pay apps, they only require touching your smart phone or similar device to the lock to let yourself into your home. Most have a fail-safe in case you don't have your phone with you; these usually come in the form of a back-up mechanical key or a electronic key that you can put on your keychain. This way, you always have a back-up. If you forget your keys, you can use your phone, but if your phone is dead, broken, or left behind, you have a live key to use in the meantime. With some newer apps, you can even lock your house remotely if you forgot to push the lock button when you were at home. The digital device can lock both the handle and the deadbolt for extra security. 

3. Use reminders.

If you leave the house at the same time each day, set a reminder with an annoying ringer on your phone telling you to put your keys in your pocket or your purse. If you are too old-school for electronic reminders on a smart phone, try writing a sign and putting it on something that you never forget. For example, if you never leave the house without your coffee mug when you go to work, tape the reminder to the mug. 

4. Make your keys bulky. 

If you live in an urban area, one of the reasons why keys are so easy to misplace is because they are too small. If you use public transit and taxis to get around, you don't have car keys to put on the keychain, and a singular mechanical key is easy to put down and forget. Purposely make your keys more bulky by adding something large to the key itself. Think beyond a standard keychain. Attach a small stuffed animal, a kubotan, a brightly colored scarf instead of a lanyard, or another object that would be less likely to fall through the cracks in the couch or fall tot he bottom of your purse. 

5. Have a locksmith on speed dial.

If you are really notorious for lockouts and doubt your abilities no matter what steps you take, keep a locksmith's number on the ready to call and open your door for you. Forcing the door open is not the best option for your door or your lock, and climbing through a window can be dangerous. Contact a local locksmith to discuss the best lock options for chronic "lock-yourself-out-itis."