Thawing a Frozen House Door Lock

When you come home in freezing temperatures, the last thing you want to find is that the lock on your front door is frozen over and seemingly impenetrable. If this happens to you, don't despair -- you can thaw the ice and get your key in the lock without needing any supplies from inside the house. Not only that, but you can even take steps to help prevent the lock from freezing over again, saving you the trouble of de-icing it every time the temperature drops.

Things You'll Need

• Key
• Gloves
• Match or lighter
• Hand sanitizer
• Petroleum jelly

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Hold a match or lighter under your key to heat it up. If you don't have either of these things, press the key against your car's engine block -- if you just drove home, it will still be hot enough to heat the key.

   • 2

     Insert the key into the lock, carefully wiggling it around to spread the heat and melt the ice.

   • 3

     Alternatively, smear your key with hand sanitizer and slowly work it into the lock in a similar fashion. The alcohol in the hand sanitizer melts the ice.