No one likes being locked out of their home, business or vehicle, but it happens more often than you might think. And you have to be prepared if you want to handle it properly (or avoid it happening to you in the first place). 

1. Avoiding Residential Lockouts

Getting locked out of your own home is a frustrating experience. It may seem like an uncommon occurrence based on how much time people spend at home, and their resulting familiarity with their home locks. You would think this familiarity would help mitigate locking oneself out of their own home! But people manage, so you’re not alone if it happens to you. Here are some tips for avoiding residential lockouts:

• Invest in keyless technology: there are locks today that you can open using just a combination or other device instead of an easy-to-lose key.
• Keep a smart spare: you can have a spare key ready for these situations, just make sure you’re smart with where you hide it and who knows of its existence.
• Hang up a lock box: a hybrid solution between a key, and combination, if you hide one of these, you can have peace of mind knowing only you have the code to access it.

2. Avoiding Automotive Lockouts

While home lockouts may be one of the most frustrating lockout experiences, automotive lockouts can be one of the scariest. After all, you’re often away from home, and can be in a potentially unsafe situation or unfamiliar part of town (or the country). Here are some tips for avoiding automotive lockouts:

• Upgrade your locks: you have fingerprint, combo or digital entry options.
• Get new keys: if you still have a standard key, upgrading to a fob or proximity key might be a wise investment. (Especially modern models that don’t lock inside the vehicle.)
• Never lay keys down while on the go: always make a point to put them in something, like a pocket, purse or keep them in your hand.

3. Avoiding Commercial Lockouts

Lastly, getting locked out of a business isn’t uncommon. Just one instance of this can impact the peace of mind of both employees, and customers. Here are some tip for avoiding commercial lockouts:

• Get a master key system: upgrade your entire security situation and control who has access to what areas of your facility.
• Perform a security audit: call a professional locksmith and have them do an inspection to see if there are any issues that could leave you more prone to a lockout.
• Have a spare key created: the simplest approach is to have a spare key made, and give it to the person who is second in charge.

If you have any security questions or are interested in upgrading the security of your home, vehicle or business, stop by any of our Dallas-Fort Worth A-1 Locksmith locations today.

Replace Car Fob Batteries

First off, if you enter your car using a device that has batteries, make sure they’re charged before winter has fully arrived. Batteries tend to die in colder weather because they require a higher charge to function properly. But you can ensure they’re working properly if you’re confident they’ve been replaced recently. 

Lubricate Locks

Keys get stuck in locks during winter months, and your vehicle’s keys are no exception. If you’ve had a history of cold-weather auto lockouts, and/or are concerned about it happening in the future, you can lubricate your locks with a spray lubricant to give you peace of mind. Other, solutions that heat up the lock (e.g. lighter, hair dryer) can work after the key is already stuck, but applying regular lubrication can help you avoid the frustrations that come with an auto lockout in the winter.

Replace Old Keys

Similar to the first point about replacing batteries, if you know any of your physical keys are old or worn down, it might be a good idea to replace them proactively. Look for signs of rust, age, cracking or inconsistent function and replace any that are suspicious. 

Keep a Locksmith’s Number Handy

A locksmith can help you replace locks, and key fobs, but it’s also a good idea to keep a trusted locksmith’s phone number saved in case you’re locked out of your car during the winter. As long as there isn’t an emergency situation, they’re the quickest and best option to address your situation. They can also give you tips on preventing the lockout from happening again. 

Carry a Spare

A spare key is another good option for those who regularly experience auto lockouts of keys stuck in the locks of their vehicles. Just as you would with a spare house key, you can give one to a trusted neighbor or friend, or keep it in a secret area of your purse or wallet.

Prepare, Just In Case

Finally, make sure you know what to do if you need an emergency locksmith in Dallas-Fort Worth. There are resources (like this blog) that provide best practices for different situations, as well as steps to take during a locksmith emergency. Do your research, just in case! If you’re interested in more auto security tips, stop by any of our A-1 Locksmith locations in Dallas-Fort Worth and we’ll be happy to help.

This is especially true when it comes to your house, vehicle or business. Even the best of us can get locked out on occasion. Fortunately, there are several ways to fix these situations (and prevent them from happening in the first place). Here are a few tips for the next time you’re locked out.

Tips for When You’re Locked Out of Your Car

Getting locked out of your car is a stressful situation, so we won’t distract you with details about why this happens, how often and so forth. Let’s get straight to the tips:

• Call 911 if anyone is in danger. This includes people in, and out of the car. If everyone is safe, move on to these other tips.
• Make sure you can’t access the vehicle. Check all doors, the trunks, and any possible access points.
• Think of backup key locations. Are they with a friend, family member or at home?
• Attempt a DIY access. This isn’t a recommendation as it can often make the problem worse, but attempting to enter your car while locked out in a DIY manner is possible. The difficulty varies by vehicle make/model, and can often cause damage that will have you regretting the decision. With that said, this is an option we wanted to keep on the list and one that is worth considering depending on your situation and experience level.
• Call roadside assistance or a professional locksmith. Professionals can travel to your location to tow your car or unlock your vehicle.

Note: breaking in whether via a window or destroying a lock is not an option we’d consider.

Tips for When You’re Locked Out of Your House

We’ll do the same thing for getting locked out of your house. Here are some tips for when this happens to you:

• Call someone you know. For both safety purposes, and to help find a spare key.
• Utilize technology. Open the door or garage remotely if you have an app connected.
• Look for access points. Just be aware you will look suspicious to onlookers.
• Remove the door knob – Other DIY: If you can get your hands on tools, you may be able to remove a door knob and certain locks. Given your familiarity with your home, you may explore other DIY options here as well, but as with the auto DIY access, this is on our list of tips more because it’s an option than recommendation.
• Call a professional locksmith. While you may not want a surprise cost from having been locked out of your home, you may be surprised how much you’ll save in terms of time as well as cost to just pay professionals to do their job. 

Tips for When You’re Locked Out of Your Business

Lastly, here are some tips for when you’re locked out of your business:

• Think through solutions. As a business owner, you likely have several backup, and alternate entry options. Also consider how several of the above tips might apply here.
• Call a locksmith. You might want to do this earlier than other scenarios on this list, as downtime affects your bottom line.
• Prevent future lockouts. Install a master key system, access control system or another security solution to prevent lockouts.
  

If you have any other locksmith-related questions, be sure to give us a call or stop by any of our DFW-area locations, and a professional team member will help you.

With A-1 Locksmith’s car lockout services, however, you do know what you’re going to get.

From easily identifiable vehicles, and uniforms to order confirmations, and local knowledge of the area, there are certain perks you can count on with A-1 Locksmith’s car lockout services that you won’t get anywhere else. Let’s take a look at three of them.

1. Easy-To-Identify Branding

Getting locked out of your car is a stressful enough event in itself. You don’t want to worry about the legitimacy of the locksmith you call to handle it. Be wary of locksmiths who don’t have uniforms or a branded vehicle, as they might be unlicensed, and lack certifications to guarantee their credibility. (Amateur locksmiths can damage your vehicle, and may have the unpleasant surprise of not being insured after the fact.)

With A-1 Locksmith, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes with easy-to-identify branding. For our car lockout services, a locksmith will arrive in an A-1 Locksmith vehicle, and will be wearing an A-1 Locksmith uniform. Furthermore, every locksmith at A-1 has undergone an extensive background check, is licensed by the State of Texas, bonded, and insured.

2. Order Tracking

We track every locksmith at A-1 with GPS and allow you to track your order and where your locksmith is as well. When you request our car lockout services, we provide you with an order confirmation prior to service so you can be sure the locksmith is who they say they are. As a convenience for our valued customers, you can request the same locksmith on any future appointments you make.

3. Local Expertise

Finally, you can’t beat the expertise, and familiarity that comes with hiring a local company for your car lockout service. Since our technicians, and staff know the area as well, you can count on us reaching your location in an efficient, timely manner. Plus, you’re supporting the local economy, and hiring a fellow neighbor who lives, works, and plays in the Dallas-Fort Worth area—not a national company with call center representatives on the other side of the country.

If you’re in need of car lockout service, be sure you keep the A-1 Locksmith number (972-284-7500) handy, and call us if you have any questions.

We’ll be taking a closer look at the latter scenario in today’s post. First, let’s go over the different types of high-tech keys and then let’s discuss the benefits of these keys, which include preventing auto lockouts.

Types of High-Tech Keys

There are several different types of car keys, which we’ve covered on this blog before, from mechanical, and programmable to laser-cut keys, and FOBs. But high-tech keys are their own category, and there are several different types of them. Some are widely available, others are unique keys developed by specific car manufacturers. Let’s cover a few different types to give you an idea about the options out there:

• Transponder keys: These look like fairly normal keys, but have a microchip built into the head of the key. The chip sends radio frequencies back and forth between the key, and the car, hence the name “transponder.”
• Valet keys: If you’ve gotten a new car from a dealership, you’ve probably seen these. Valet keys may seem simple, but they have some advanced tech in them. They’ll start the car and open the door, but won’t open the glove box or trunk.
• Smart keys: With these keys, you can start the car and access the vehicle without even taking the keys out of your pocket. This is all due to sensors, and chips in the key.
• VATS keys: A high-tech key that actually doesn’t rely on computer technology, Vehicle Anti-Theft System (VATS) keys are uniquely cut and feature an anti-theft resistor.
• Brand-specific keys: Some brands take innovation to the next level when it comes to high-tech keys. As this Business Insider article points out, you’ll find keys out there that have touchscreens, remote parking capabilities, and more.

Benefits of High-Tech Keys

The biggest benefit of all these high-tech keys? Extra security. Keeping you, your car and your belongings safe is the main purpose behind them. But they also have other benefits beyond auto lockout prevention, such as convenience, peace of mind, and remote tracking. (Let’s be honest, they also look pretty cool.) If you’re interested in learning more about their benefits, be sure to talk to an automotive rekeying locksmith about them.

Interested in high-tech keys like these that prevent auto lockouts? Give the A-1 Locksmith team a call today at 972-284-7500 (or stop by any of our DFW locations) and we’ll help you out.