Ever since there have been locks and keys—and the earliest example found so far was in the ruins of Nineveh and estimated to be about 4,000 years old—people have been locking themselves out. Here are on some tips on how to avoid that situation, as well as what can be done if you do.
Hold On to Your Keys
Your first defense, of course, is not losing your keys in the first place.
- Keep your keys in the same place all the time. Add a key dish or hooks both at home and any other place you spend a lot of time, such as the office.
- Keep multiple sets of keys distinct. If you have several keys for work, keep them on a separate ring with a brightly colored keychair or carabineer so you don’t accidentally switch the sets.
- Use a carabineer to clip your keys to an inside loop when you put them in your bag to prevent them from falling out.
- If misplacing keys is a chronic problem for you, consider an electronic device for your keychain to help you locate it. There are many that even communicate with your smartphone.
Have Backups
DO leave extra keys:
- With a trusted friend or family member that lives nearby.
- In a convincing fake rock a distance away from any entrances.
- In a garage with a keypad-activated door.
- In a shed with a combination lock.
DON’T leave extra keys:
- In your glovebox. You don’t want someone who breaks into your car to have your address and house key!
- Under the doormat or in a nearby planter. These are some of the first places a thief would look.
- Taped to the doorframe.
- In a generic keyhider statue near the door.
Get In Without Keys
If you really can’t get to your keys, here are a few things to remember:
- Don’t break a window or attempt to kick in a door. You’ll end up paying more for repairs than you would have paid for commercial locksmith services, so do yourself a favor and just find a locksmith.
- A locksmith can unlock your door without damaging it by using numerous tools such as picks, tension wrenches and key turners. Most are well qualified and have gone through training for locksmith certification, and many apprentice for four years before starting their own careers.
- Becoming a locksmith requires extensive training on how to open deadbolts or troubleshoot deadbolt problems.
- It’s easy to find a locksmith who is available 24/7. This can be helpful if your only spare key would be with your landlord or someone else you don’t want to call late at night.
If you’re wondering how to find a locksmith, utilize the local results of your favorite search engine to get the fastest service.
More can be found here. For more information, read this website: www.directlocksmithservices.ca