Imagine walking to your car late at night after partying with your friends and all you want to do is go home and sleep.
You dig into your purse for your keys but can’t find them. You check your jacket…not there either.
Now you’re standing in front of the driver side door and catch a glimpse of the very thing you were looking for…
Metal keys dangling from your ignition.
You locked your keys in the car and all your friends have already left. You’re alone with no way home. At this moment you’re vulnerable and scared.
Here’s what to do next to guarantee your safety while you retrieve your keys quickly.
Stay Calm and Scan the Area
Your physical safety is thetop priority before unlocking your car, especially late at night.There were 345,031 cases of robbery reported in 2013 in the United States.Even if you know the neighborhood well you should still scan the area for people watching you or following you.
On the other hand, if you’re in an unsafe or unknown area, then do one of 3 things:
- Leave your car and go back into the bar or café you came out of, or find any open business or gas station.
- If there are no open businesses around you, signal to a nearby pedestrian and tell them that you locked your keys in your car and feel unsafe. Wait by this person while you decide your next move. You’re less vulnerable in groups of 2 or more.
- If you detect any signs of danger or feel truly unsafe, just call 911 immediately.
OK, now that you’re safe you can decide the best way to unlock your car.
6 Ways to Quickly Retrieve the Locked Keys in Your Car
- Break into your own car
- Lifehacker teaches you how to break into your own car here. They claim that all you need is a door stop/wooden wedge and a long metal rod. To break in, you insert the wedge into the top part of the driver’s side door until it makes a small opening. Then you can stick the long metal rod into that opening and use it to push the unlock button on the car.
- What they don’t mention is how people who tamper with their car from the outside end up causing damage to the seals on their windows and the car’s locking system.
- Plus, since most people today are driving relatively newer cars, which have advanced anti-theft technology installed, it’s MUCH harder to break into a car today than it ever has been. We don’t recommend this option ever.
- Lifehacker teaches you how to break into your own car here. They claim that all you need is a door stop/wooden wedge and a long metal rod. To break in, you insert the wedge into the top part of the driver’s side door until it makes a small opening. Then you can stick the long metal rod into that opening and use it to push the unlock button on the car.
- Call your insurance agency
- If you signed up for extra roadside assistance through companies like AAA or Allstate then you’ll be fine. Just be ready to wait a while before they show up. These services can be notoriously slow.
- Contact your dealer
- If your car has keyless entry, then you may be able to call your dealer directly and have them open your car remotely. Of course, you’ll have to properly identify yourself. So, if there is any form of identification you need that’s stuck in your car, this option won’t work.
- Call a tow truck
- Most tow truck companies offer lock-out services. Calling 411 should get you connected in no time. Be aware, you’ll be paying a hefty fee for this service.
- Call 911
- Most of the time they can unlock your car for you. However, sometimes the police can’t or won’t unlock your car door, and will instead tow your car and foot you with the bill. Use this option only if you think you are truly unsafe or in danger, or as a last resort.
- Call a locksmith
- This is the ideal option. A trusted locksmith can be at your car within minutes and quickly and safely open your doors. No damage to your car. No waiting for roadside assistance. No car dealer hassles. No tow truck fees. And no awkward police encounters.
In fact, a Car locksmith Pro will retrieve the locked keys in your car within seconds at a truly affordable price. They work with all types of locks, new cars and old, and absolutely never cause damage to your vehicle.
So, next time you lock your keys in your car remember to:
- Stay calm
- Move to a safe place right away if you feel in danger
- And then call a car locksmith to quickly and painlessly get you back on the road in no time.
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