HOME & FAMILY

Defeat the Latch

Whether you are locked out of a room or your entire house, the door latch is often the easiest point to attack. Depending on the type of latch, a piece of plastic — a shim — can push the latch back and open the door in seconds.

exterior door knob and latch

Shimming the latch is speedy and causes no damage. - Grandpa TJ -

How-to videos

Shim a regular latch

A security latch's deadlock plunger blocks manual push-back when it works. Regular interior latches usually do not have that protection — a shim can open them quickly with no damage.

Thanks to Billshowto for the YouTube video.

Watch on YouTube

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