Your All-In-One Lockout Guide
We all get locked out of our vehicles from time to time. It’s a very frustrating experience that doesn’t let up and can lead us to make uncomfortable decisions. Often, we are forced to call a locksmith that can charge a pretty penny to get you back on track.
Here are five common scenarios that you could find yourself in at any given time. Avoid the pain and hardship with these handy tips from experienced locksmiths who deal with these situations every day.
Home Lock Out
If you’re locked out of your house after midnight for example, you’ll want to ask for help first of all.
Do you live with roommates? Can they come home and let you in? Sure, it may be an inconvenience to ask your housemates to come let you in. But it’s not nearly as inconvenient as being stranded outside your house, especially in the cold.
If you rent your place, try reaching out to your landlord. They will usually have a copy of your house key and, depending on their location, may be close enough to swing by and let you in.
If you live in an apartment complex, stop by the manager’s office and ask to be let into your place. Just make sure you can provide proof of who you are and the fact that you do indeed live there. If that doesn’t work, you can try looking for any unlocked windows where you might possibly get in through.
The third option would be trying to credit card lock pick yourself. Keep in mind, this option only works on spring bolts, the kind usually found on standard-issue doorknobs. When all options have been exhausted, it may be time to call your local locksmith.
Office Lockout
If you work in an office building and there are no rules against doing so, create a spare key. You can leave your spare key in your car or carry one in your purse or wallet. If your cell phone has a back that pops off easily, you might see if you can put your spare key in there. Most people keep their cell phone on them always so even if you were to accidentally lock yourself out of your office, your cell phone will likely be in your pocket.
You might not want to give anyone else your spare key, though. You could be opening yourself up to liability if your key were to fall into the wrong hands and someone without the correct credentials were to gain access to your office building. This is especially important if you deal with confidential information or records. Many of us work in office buildings with other colleagues. If you are not the only one who has a set of keys for your office building.
It’s a good idea to get contact information from the people you work with. If you get locked out of your office, you might be able to phone a colleague who can swing by to unlock the office for you. Just having the contact information of a few of your colleagues can be beneficial if you get locked out. Remember, if you are the only one with a key to the office, then your boss is also likely to have a spare set of keys as well.
Storage Lockout
If you are locked out of your storage unit, getting back in is inevitable when you know what to do. The first thing you need to understand is you need to decide what option will work best for you. The fastest way possible, by just destroying the lock and getting in? You’re in no rush, so you can research the lock, figure out what’s wrong with it and pick it yourself. Picking it in a way that doesn’t harm the lock (try a bump key) is usually the cheapest option.
The third option would be to call your local locksmith and have a professional open the lock the fastest way. This is the safest bet to not damage the lock so you won’t need to replace it.
Car Lockout
Car lockout can be a very frustrating and time-consuming situation. Imagine not being able to get into your own car when you really need to go somewhere. Or when there are important documents or tools you need for work locked inside. This sounds like a dreadful situation to be in, right? But relax, there are ways to be prepared for the emergency and make it a less stressful experience when it happens to you.
The most natural reaction in all the above-mentioned situations is frustration, stress or even panic. So, what you should start with is a deep breath and calming down. There is a solution to any situation. If you have a spare car key, then your problem is solved, and you can quickly get on with your day.
But if you don’t, then you can start by checking for any windows that might be slightly opened. Even having your trunk open can be helpful, depending on the year, make, and model. In some cars, you can push the back seat which gives you access to the inside of the car. If all fails, you can call your local locksmith so they can help you get back on the road in no time.
Trunk Lockout
One of the most unfortunate things to happen is locking your keys in the trunk of your car. In many cases this happens when retrieving items from your trunk. Or if you accidentally drop your keys, and when you’re distracted, you lock the trunk. Calls about lockout problems dominate our call centers spread out across the nation. Over the years, we have provided professional car lockout services whenever it is necessary.
The automotive industry continues to make strides in using technology to enhance the security of cars. One of the areas that incorporate technology is trunk locks. The locks differ from one make to the other, and as years change, the trunk security changes for all models. For this reason, there are no handbooks to direct you on how to open a trunk. This, then, leaves only one option- to get a professional auto locksmith specializing in lockout services.
With some manufacturers, the security levels are so high that you might have to rekey a lock. And that is one of the reasons why you’ll want to make sure you call someone who has years of experience.
When In Doubt, Call A Locksmith
Locksmith North Hollywood has over a decade of experience in the locksmith industry, serving North Hollywood residents for all sorts of lockout situations. We can open your lock fast and get you back on the road again without any hassle. Call us at (818) 573-2375 to get a free quote and fast service now.
