Only pick your own locks - or you could wind up in a lot of trouble.

Locked yourself out of the house? Most common pin and tumbler locks

can be picked with a little luck and finesse—so before you call a locksmith, try this. You

will need A paperclip or safety pin A tension wrench (sometimes called a torque wrench)

and a second paperclip.

Step 1. Get a paperclip or safety pin and bend it straight. Now make a slight upwards

bend at the very end. You can buy a professional lock pick set at a hardware store. There is

a basic size intended for American locks. Step 2. Insert your wrench into the lower

part of the keyhole—that is, the side opposite the one where the key’s teeth would go in.

Step 3. Figure out which way the lock needs to be turned to open by turning the wrench

clockwise and then counterclockwise. You’ll feel which way has more give. Step 4. Turn

the lock the correct way with the wrench, putting slight pressure on it. Hold the wrench

in place. Step 5. While keeping pressure on the lock, insert the end of the paperclip

into the top part of the keyhole. Step 6. Feel around the keyhole with the paperclip

until you locate the pins. If you’re picking a common door lock, there will most likely

be at least five of them in a row. Before you start, many experts suggest “raking”

the lock. Straighten your second paperclip, put a few bends at the wire’s end, and—with

no pressure on your wrench—shove it to the back of the lock. Now pull it out quickly,

pressing against the top of the lock while gently turning your wrench. You might just

set a pin or two that way. Step 7. Now for the actual “picking.” One at a time, push

each pin up with the paperclip. Try to feel for the moment when the pin reaches its “unlocked”

position. You should feel a slight give—or even hear a faint click. Start with the pin

furthest away from you—then move on to the next. Step 8. As you go, apply slightly more

pressure with the wrench until you have all the pins lifted up. Step 9. Now turn the wrench

fully. Voila! The lock will pop open. Did you know Wooden locks were used as far back

as 4,000 years ago in ancient Egypt.