How to Keep Yourself from Gettingg Locked out... Again!

It happens to the best of us. We always remember the keys, until that one time...when we forget. Oh no! Locked out! It’s never convenient and it’s always infuriating, especially after dark. But there’s no really reason you should ever be locked out again. Keep these strategies in the back of your mind, and put them into daily practice:

First, “Phone, keys, and wallet?” This has to be the everyday standard mantra, every time you walk out the door. If you haven’t been doing this, make it your routine now. Stop. Ask yourself: Phone, keys, and wallet? Do the pat-down, check pockets, check your purse or pack. (As soon as you get in the habit, you may find that you’ll have to add a few other items to your list, such as driving glasses, sunglasses, reading glasses, etc. Have fun with it.)

Always know where your keys are. If you ever forget something, and have to run back into the house to get it, don’t put your keys down! Don’t leave them on the table or the counter. Keep your keys in your hand or make sure they’re still in your pocket. Furthermore, if you lend an extra key to anyone, be sure to get it back in a timely manner, and then put it right back in your regular hiding place, if you have one.

Keep a spare key in a reasonable hiding place. Keeping a key under the mat, over the door, or under a flower pot is an extremely bad idea. Every burglar knows about these. Even the fake-rock key-holders are basically useless, unless you’re really good at hiding it. The best thing to do is to give a copy of your key to a neighbor who can help in an emergency. It’s good to choose someone who’s at home most of the time.

Keep an eye on your locks, and replace any bad ones. If you have any doors that aren’t up to par, or locks that are worn out, they may get jammed. If you have any locks that are often hard to open, the key may break in the lock mechanism. Also, don’t duplicate keys that are already duplicates, because they eventually won’t work.

If you’re ambitious, always carry a pick set with you. That is, if your local and state laws allow it. Then you’ll always be able get back in. Besides, you might some day be able to help out a friend in need. Not every lock is pickable, but it’s always worth a try.

If you want to be adventurous, keep a fake credit card. Don’t use a real one, because it will get totally bent out of shape. Try an expired gift card or the sample ones you receive in junk mail. It definitely doesn’t work as easily as it does on TV. Of course, this will work only if you don’t have a deadbolt, and it has to be a bored door lock, with the sloped ridge of the bolt facing towards you. (If the door opens towards you, then the bolt is probably facing the wrong way.) If the bolt is the right type, and facing the right direction, then give it a shot. Place the card in the gap between the door and the jam above the bolt. Carefully slide the card down between the bolt and the strike plate. Push the card, push the door, and, with any luck, the door will open. You’ll leave everything (except the card) undamaged.

Are you already locked out? If you don’t have a hidden spare key or friend to call, look around. There may still be one door or window open. Who knows, maybe you’re lucky enough to have not locked the door properly in the first place.

If all else fails, hire a locksmith. It’s certainly tempting to toy with the idea of breaking a window or kicking in the door. But should you actually risk being mistaken for a burglar? Of course not. To avoid this predicament, plan ahead!

Find a reputable locksmith before you’ve gotten into this tight spot. The right way to find a legitimate local locksmith is to track one down ahead of time, before you need one. Do your homework so you won’t be overcharged or scammed.

Ask your friends, family, and colleagues for their recommendations. You’ll find exactly what’s right for you through word of mouth from satisfied customers. If that proves unsuccessful, then start your research.
Find a local, dependable locksmith. Write down all the potential locksmith companies you can find in your area, with their addresses and phone numbers. Keep track of which locksmiths specialize in the services you require. Check for the business address, and confirm that it really belongs to that locksmith. You can use the Internet to match up phone numbers with addresses. Sometimes a dishonest company will list a fake address, claiming to be local. If a person picks up the phone using a generic greeting such as “locksmith services,” rather than the company name, ask for the legal business name. If the person refuses, don’t bother. Some good locksmith companies simply might not include their street address on their listings, because they have a mobile business, which dispatches a professional locksmith that’s local to you. Accordingly, it’s a good idea to inquire as to why the address isn’t listed, so you know for sure.

When you’ve finally found a premium locksmith, keep the information on hand - in a logical place such as your wallet, your smart phone, or your refrigerator - so you’ll always be able to get out of a jam whenever problems with keys and locks come up. The best locksmiths will be happy to answer all your questions. If you’re anywhere in Tuckahoe, Virginia, Tuckahoe Locksmith Services is an ideal choice. Their staff mobile expert locksmith technicians work 24/7 providing emergency, automotive, residential, and commercial locksmith services.

If you ever do find yourself locked out, be wary of any locksmith claiming that you’re going to have to drill or replace the lock. A legitimate locksmith will always carry the right tools, and have the knowhow to realize that such drastic moves aren’t necessary. An experienced professional locksmith can unlock almost anything.

Check the locksmith’s qualifications and credentials. At the time a locksmith arrives, ask for ID, business card, and proof of license. The invoice must include the company name. The truck should have the company name on it that matches the invoice and business card. The locksmith must also ask for your ID. Absolutely, a legitimate locksmith must verify your identity to show that you’re the actual property owner prior to any work beginning.