If I were the one caught out in it, I don't think I'd go home and give my wife the option of letting me in, only to suffer the same fate. Hopefully I'd have the resolve to stick with my decision.

On the other hand, I would let my wife in if she were caught in it and returned home unless there were children in the home (as you mentioned being a possibility). I would hope in such a case she'd think of the children, but in a panic logical thought can go right out the window. A drowning person can take others down with them.

I'm also wondering if there's some type of middle ground. Perhaps a section of the house could be partitioned off until all of the options can be assessed.