A broken key can turn a normal day into a frustrating situation, especially when you can't get inside your home. Is it better to leave the key fragment untouched until a locksmith arrives, or are there safe ways to handle the situation yourself?

Don't force the broken key out with random tools, as you could damage the lock cylinder. If the fragment is sticking out, needle-nose pliers or a broken-key extractor might work. Otherwise, leave it alone and call a locksmith. I've had great results with a local company for a mailbox lock replacement, and they handle these exact situations cleanly. They also do residential lock repairs across Palm Beach County, so you're in good hands.