How to Jimmy a Bathroom Lock

It is common for a small child to accidentally lock himself in the home bathroom, leaving his parents panicking on the outside. Fortunately, doorknob manufacturers built the doorknob to have easy lock access from the outside. You can use common household items to quickly jimmy the bathroom lock and release your desperate child. Bathroom locks come in two styles -- push-button and turn-tab. Each style requires different tools to jimmy the lock.

Things You'll Need

• Paperclip or nail
• Small screwdriver

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Insert a hard, thin item, such as a straightened paperclip or common nail, into the doorknob's small, center hole. If you have a turn-tab lock, insert a small, slotted screwdriver through the hole.

   • 2

     Wiggle the item around until you locate the locking mechanism's interior pin, which is discernible as a protrusion inside the lock.

   • 3

     Push the pin with the hard item to release a push-button lock. Twist the small screwdriver to open a turn-tab lock. Turn the doorknob to open the bathroom door.