So, you probably feel very silly for locking yourself out of your car huh?
Well, don’t let it get you down. We all have days like these; days when we feel like our brains are MIA and we probably don’t have our head attached to our body. It’s easy to feel stressed out when stuff like this happens but there is always a silver lining in every situation. For one, at least you even have a car. Other people have to be patient and use public commute wherever they go.
Not helping? Okay, then maybe this might help.
If you’re locked out of your car, the first thing you have to do is to remain calm and assess your options. Repeatedly banging the window, pulling on the handle, or face-slapping your forehead out of frustration isn’t helping you in the least. By the time you’re done, it’s either you’ve caused more damage to your vehicle – or your face. Remain calm and assess the situation fully (read more).
“But I’ve got a meeting to get to.”
Well, sure you do. But it’s not like panicking would get you there any faster. Here are more productive ways to handle the situation:
Step 1: Locate The Keys
No matter what the cause is – you grabbing a coffee or taking a quick dump in the gasoline station bathroom – the fact remains unchanged. Somehow, you got distracted and now, your keys are nowhere to be found.
The first thing you should do is to locate where you put your keys. Are they still stuck on the keyhole? Did you accidentally leave them on the dashboard when you picked up your phone? Did you leave them on the passenger seat when you were taking the coffee money out of your wallet? Or, do you have them stashed in one of your pockets?
If it’s any of the first three scenarios, then you probably have good reason to feel frustrated. But there are also times when we just lose track of where we put our belongings. If you can’t find your keys anywhere inside the car, the first few places you need to check is your body or your garments and the place where you’ve just been. For all you know, you left your keys when you were reaching for some bathroom tissue or when you were ordering your cup of coffee at the cashier.
If it is evident that your keys are locked inside the car, proceed to the next step.
Step 2: Check For Other Possible Entrances
Most cars, unless you drive a luxurious sports vehicle, have four doors. If luck would have it, you could’ve left at least one door unlocked or loose. Try checking all other possible entrances besides the driver’s door. If you’re fortunate enough, you can find another way in and retrieve your keys. Learn more ways here: https://diy-auto-repair.wonderhowto.com/how-to/open-your-car-door-without-key-6-easy-ways-get-when-locked-out-0163239/.
Also, check for window openings. Cars, especially the older models, may have windows that can easily be pushed down as long as there is a small gap for the hand to go in. While this is not advisable as it may loosen the whole thing completely, it’s still better than breaking a window so you might as well consider it.
If it’s really impossible to go in using any of these measures, then time for step three.
Step 3: Call A Locksmith
There’s really no better way to handle a situation like this than leaving it to the professionals. There are skilled locksmiths all over Florida that can help you retrieve your keys inside your car by unlocking one of the vehicle’s doors safely. If you’re going to try this option (and I guess you have to since it’s the most plausible choice you have left), just make sure that you choose to trust an expert locksmith who can handle the work. If left to someone inexperienced, you could end up in a more frustrating situation.
Professional locksmiths have specific tools and are equipped with expert skills that allow them to infiltrate locks without causing a lot of damage to the door of the car at all. Their fees are much more affordable than replacing a broken window too. Plus, your car’s security is not compromised in the least. Anyway, for complicated jobs like these, it’s best to seek professional help to avoid incurring more costs due to damages.
Get In Touch With A Locksmith Today
Even if this horrible nightmare hasn’t happened to you yet, it’s best to make the right connections in advance. This will help you address such situations more calmly should it happen to you in the future.
Getting your keys locked inside your car is not an uncommon or unthinkable phenomenon. It can happen to almost anyone, any day. This is why it is wise to make the necessary preparations should it happen to you by accident later on. When you’ve prepared in advance, you also avoid hiring the wrong people for the job (check this out). You’ll have ample time to get to know locksmiths who are really great at what they do.
If you call for help in a panic, there’s a good chance you’ll take any random person out there. But if you’ve made connections beforehand, you know exactly who to call during times of emergencies and it helps deal with the situation faster and more effectively.
