How To: Open a Door Chain Lock or Bar Latch from the Outside

Assuming that you're not a burglar-in-training, you may one day find yourself in a situation where you have to break into a home through a door chain lock. But what to do if you have no time to wait for a locksmith?

All you need is some kind of string (dental floss, yarn, ribbon, etc.) or a sturdy rubber band (the thicker the better, so it won't snap under pressure). Both methods require manipulating the material so that the chain end is pulled towards the wider slot that will make the chain fall out, hence unlocking the door.

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If you need to break into a bar latch, you can use a thick envelope to push at the metal loop until the door gets unlocked. For a demonstration of this technique, you can watch this video here.

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