No matter how careful we are, a lockout situation is always possible. Contrary to popular belief, lockouts don’t always happen because we are careless or distracted. Sure, a mere moment of inattention can lead to suddenly finding yourself on the wrong side of a locked door, but this is not always the case.
Poll 20 people on the street and most all of them will say to do just that, but will they, if they got locked out? Actually, there are many times when you really don’t need a locksmith. That’s right; you can save yourself a few dollars and some time by following our simple lockout suggestions.
Breathe deep and relax!
That’s right; take a deep breath, and try to calm down. This is easier said than done as no one ever plans on being locked out! Lockouts, no matter where they take place, are always unexpected and therefore they are a big interruption of your plans or activities. Because of this surprise factor, lockouts have a tendency to shock us. We can run through a gamut of emotions. Some of these include surprise, shock, anger, fear, panic, guilt and even humor. But no matter how angry we get, or how much we blame someone else, the fact remains that we are still locked out and something must be done about it. We predict that the next time you get locked out, you’ll remember reading this and put what you’ve learned to good use. Are you ready to begin? Good!
Resist the urge to force your way back in!
That’s right; don’t become a vandal in your “heroic” efforts to gain entry back inside your house, car, workplace, or business location. Sure, it may be your property but why destroy part of it in your hurry to get back inside? If it’s an emergency and you need to; sure! But most lockouts are not that urgent and the only thing in real danger is our pride. Besides, broken glass and splintered wood can lead to bodily injury and property damage that will ironically cost more to repair than simply calling for a locksmith! Lastly, you don’t want to be arrested, detained or even shot by law enforcement, a neighbor or even someone in your own home that mistook you for a burglar.
Have a spare key can be wonderful and awful; it all depends on how you use it. The age-old ploys of “hiding” a spare key in the flower pot, over the door sill, or under the door mat are not jokes; people really do those things and don’t think for a minute that burglars don’t know that! It’s time to wise up and hide that spare in a better place. Remember, lockouts happen at home but they can also happen with your car, at your job or at your place of business. Finding and using a great hiding place at home won’t help you if you find yourself locked out of your car in an unfamiliar neighborhood, late at night. Be ready for any possibility by being proactive and having a well-hidden spare key available for any place you might be.
Hide your spare under the dog house, in a rain gutter, or in the backyard BBQ. There are plenty of uncommon places to hide a spare house key. Try to think like a burglar and not like a homeowner and you’ll notice plenty of these out of the way places to hide your key. Keep track of where you put the key and keep your mouth shut! The more people you tell about your spare keys and their locations, the more at risk your property becomes.
Secure your spare behind a bumper or under the car. You can also keep a spare key in your cell phone case, purse or wallet. Switching to keyless entry helps as one less key to keep track of is always a good thing. While driving, adding items to your trunk, or loading passengers, always keep track of your keys so that they are not left dangling in the ignition or accidentally locked in the trunk.
Business lockouts can involve the owner, staff and even customers. Spare keys can be hidden, phone numbers can be exchanged between employees and managers, co-workers, and owners, etc. Many commercial buildings and strip malls have management offices where spare keys can be accessed (sometimes for a fee) during working hours.
Tell a friend…
Another great place to hide a spare is with a co-worker, family member, trusted neighbor, or friend. Make absolutely sure that this person is trustworthy and that their mobile number is logged in your smart phone! If you find yourself in a lockout situation, a simple call or text to your spare key person is all it will take to bring fast relief. This method also has the added benefit of having someone to talk to while you are waiting for your key to arrive. This helps to calm the nerves and gives you a second person to help call for police or to be a “witness” in case you run into any kind of trouble. Lastly, you or your spare-key phone friend can call for a locksmith (also pre-selected!) in your area as a last resort or first choice depending on your situation and mood!