What To Do In Different Lockout Situations
It happens to all of us, sooner or later! Lockout situations are a fact of life; they can occur anywhere there are locking doors, windows, vaults, car trunks or anything else that has a locking mechanism or needs a key to open. Here at Tuckahoe Locksmith Services we get calls for lockout help on a regular basis. They come from people that got distracted for a moment to people that are in forgot their keys or had them stolen and everything in between. Emotions can range from mild annoyance to utter disbelief and then sheer panic as to what to do next!
Do I Break A Window?
No! One simple temptation is to break in to wherever you just got locked out of. Our Tuckahoe Locksmith Services technicians often hear; “it’s my property, so I’m not doing anything wrong!” Legally, that may be correct but there are consequences to do-it-yourself property damage! Broken glass is expensive to replace and it cuts easily. It makes a mess as well as lots of noise which can alert neighbors, passersby, security personnel and others that can quickly call police or accost you themselves! Pried open doors, windows, and other property also carry similar risks. It’s ironic but the reason people often force their way back inside is to save money on having to call for a locksmith and here in Tuckahoe, VA emergency locksmith service is readily available that is affordable AND accessible 24/7.
Automotive Lockouts
It’s SO easy to get locked out of your car or trunk! Tuckahoe Locksmith Services fields calls daily from distracted customers that left their keys in the ignition and ran in to pick up dry cleaning or a pizza and came back out to a locked vehicle! It’s not hard to do. In today’s hectic world our minds are dealing with many things all at once. All it takes is a split second for that car door to close and lock you are in trouble! The same goes for trunks. You can be loading groceries or luggage one second and forget that your keys were innocently laid down for second while you place items inside the compartment. Close the trunk lid and voila – you are now locked out!
Residential Lockouts
These usually fall into two categories: 1) accidental and 2) deliberate. The first is most common. You go out to retrieve the morning paper or the mail. The door closes and locks behind you. Boom! You are locked out. Even TV shows and commercials make light of this predicament as it happens so much. We’ve all seen those surprised people standing there with a stranded look while still in pajamas!
The second scenario usually deals with domestic disagreements or roommate issues. A key might have been taken away or the locks might have been changed. The end result is the same; no access to the inside of the home.
Commercial Lockouts
Surprisingly, lockouts happen to business owners and managers on a regular basis. They may be distracted by accepting a delivery or setting out a sign; again, all it takes is a second and the door can close and lock behind you. Sometimes, staff can lock themselves out by going “out back” for a cigarette break or to go and empty the trash. Often, the back door is propped open initially by a brick or chair that suddenly is moved just enough to allow the locked door to close. Imagine locking yourself out of your own business first thing in the morning and seeing your customers starting to show up!
Common Lockout Dangers
Lockout situations can cost you time and often, money. You might be late for work and have your pay docked. You could miss a job interview or a meeting with a client. These situations are bad enough but there are others that are even worse. Say your child is alone in the car or home while you are locked out. This can include elderly parents, pets and ill family members that need attention. Our Tuckahoe Locksmith Services emergency professionals often get urgent calls from people that are dealing with situations like children locked in bathrooms, sheds, or even car trunks! Pets are often left in cars that can quickly overheat or they can accidentally lock the doors in their excitement to see their owners approaching. Locks are meant to secure something but when that something excludes you, action must be taken and fast!
So What Can You Do?
First of all, don’t leave a spare key under the door mat or in the flower pot on the porch! All too often this leads to a break-in or worse! You CAN leave a spare key with a family member or trusted neighbor if you have one. Do you have a pet door? Is it big enough for you to fit through? Be careful – if you fit through it, so do others! Be sure to speak reassuringly to Fido so you don’t get your nose bitten when you poke your face through the door! Some people leave a house key in the glove compartment or under a floor mat. If your car is locked in the garage though, this won’t do much good. For commercial lockouts, you can leave a key with a fellow shop owner or see if your management office is open and if they will send someone over to help.
Call The Right Locksmith!
Calling the right locksmith can end your lockout worries quickly and affordably. Here’s something you can do now, BEFORE you find yourself in a lockout situation. Enter the number to a licensed, bonded and insured locksmith into your smart phone so it’s there; just in case! If you have a Tuckahoe, VA lock shop that you like and use, enter their information. If not, we invite you to work with Tuckahoe Locksmith Services as we are honest, affordable, and we respond fast to your lockout situation wherever in town it may be. Price quotes are free and our service is always exceptionally done by real, certified professionals.