What to Do to Prevent a Lockout
Being locked out of your own property in Lake Stevens, WA can be very frustrating. Usually, you don’t see the situation coming until you go to open your door and realize that you don’t have your keys or are otherwise unable to. However, a lockout can happen to just about anyone if the right conditions present themselves, no matter how careful you are with your keys. In our modern, hectic lives, most of us rush through our day, trying to stay on top of things. It doesn’t take much to drop your keys or set them down somewhere only to forget about them. Add in the possibility of someone stealing your keys, and it’s easy to see how problems can arise for even the most careful person. Read on for some helpful tips on how to prevent a lockout from occurring.
1. Establish Helpful Habits
Nearly everything you do during the course of your daily life is a habit that you’ve developed over the years. You have habits for your personal care, your meals, and your work. You may have a habit with your keys, too, but have you considered whether it prevents you from losing them? It’s helpful to dedicate a set location for your keys at your home and when you’re at work, and train yourself to always keep them there. Also make it a habit of checking to make sure you have your keys before locking up your property. Never hold your keys in your hand while busy with other things, such as when you’re shopping. If you set them down, they may not be there when you go back to get them. There are also devices that you can purchase if you’re prone to forgetfulness that you can attack to your keys, that beep when you search for them with your phone or an associated device.
One of the most common forms of lockouts that a locksmith sees on a weekly basis is vehicle lockouts. This can happen whether you have a keyed or keyless system with a remote. It’s crucial to always make sure you have your keys or remote on you before you shut your vehicle, especially if your doors utilize automatic locking technology. Make sure you never place your keys in the trunk, for example if you’re loading in groceries in a hurry.
2. Have a Spare
It’s recommended to have a spare key made for each important key that you own, including your car keys and your house keys. If you own or manage a business, a duplicate set of keys for that property is also a good idea. Spare keys are inexpensive and quick to make at either a hardware store or by contacting a locksmith. You may be leery about having a spare key made, for fear of it being used by an unwanted intruder to gain access to your property. It’s true that past hiding spots, like fake rocks in your garden or underneath your welcome mat, are no longer recommended as criminals look in these places by habit, However, if your spares are well-hidden or kept in a safe place, such as with a family member or trusted friend, this doesn’t have to be an issue. If your property utilizes a keyless entry system, such as a keypad lock,
3. Make Them Stand Out
If you’re a forgetful person in general, it’s best to work with your brain rather than against it. This is an especially useful tip if you have a habit of setting your keys down in places and then forgetting about them, or losing them in between the couch cushions. Find several colorful key chains and attach them to your key ring. They don’t have to be goofy looking but they should be bright enough to grab your attention, allowing you to spot them easily wherever they end up.
4. Keep Your Locks in Good Shape
Absent keys and forgotten pin numbers aren’t the only causes of lockouts. While you might not have thought it possible, lockouts can also occur when a key breaks off in a lock. This usually happens with a lockset that has seen heavy use over the years. You put your key in the lock and it sticks, and you use a little too much pressure to try to get it to turn. This causes the key to snap in half, usually leaving the portion with the teeth in the lock and the key’s head in your hand. Normally this situation requires a locksmith to extract the broken key fragment, and possibly replace the entire door mechanism if damage was caused during the process. If your locks are older than ten years, or your key has begun to stick in the lock or be difficult to turn, it’s important not to ignore the possibility that it’s time for a new lock and key. To prevent issues, never use force on your lock, and inspect your key occasionally for signs of wear on the metal teeth which can damage or stick in the pins inside the mechanism.
5. Have a Locksmith as an Emergency Contact
This final tip is less of a preventative measure and more of a failsafe. Before you’re ever in a potential lockout situation, it’s a good idea to find a trustworthy locksmith company, such as Lake Stevens WA Locksmith, and put the company number in your phone under your emergency contacts. That will save you the added stress and hassle of having to scramble around for the right locksmith if a lockout situation does occur. Since these situations are usually stressful all by themselves, it’s one less thing that you have to worry about. Make sure to do your homework before you settle on the right company, learning their policies, services offered, hours of availability, rates, and any after-hours fees.
By taking these preventative measures, you can avoid many potential lockout scenarios. Most of them don’t require much effort on your part, other than a commitment to remaining mindful. If you do find yourself facing a lockout despite your best efforts, don’t fret. Contact a professional locksmith for immediate assistance.