Different Lockout Situations & What to About Them

A lockout situation is one of those occasions that we all think can only happen to other folks in Cedar Hill, TX, right? The truth is, however, that any of us can be vulnerable this this issue. All it takes is one mistake and you could be locked out from your home, business, or car. It happens all the time all over the state of Texas. If you find yourself in a lockout situation, it tends to be a frustrating and anxiety-provoking situation.   

Vehicle Lockouts   

The Situation: Maybe you’ve just finished a long day of work and realize in the parking lot that you can’t find your keys. Or maybe you’ve been doing some late-night shopping, your arms full of bags, only to realize that your keys are missing. Whatever the case, you wind up without a way to get into your vehicle, and you wouldn’t be able to start the car even if you could. Even if your car utilizes a keyless system with a car button fob, the fob can get lost. It’s also possible for your key or key fob to get stolen    

What to Do: It’s always recommended to have a spare copy of your car key available in a safe place. However, if you don’t have a spare key, put in a call to a 24-hour locksmith, such as Locksmith Service Cedar Hill, to give your assistance. Not only can they help you back into your vehicle, but they’ll be able to issue you a new key no matter the make or model of your vehicle.   

Home Lockouts

The Situation: Whether you accidentally flipped your lock when stepping out without realizing that you didn’t have your key, or whether you lost your keys while running errands or at work, being locked out of your own home is a uniquely frustrating situation. It’s also an extremely common one that happens every day.  
What to Do: First, check every window and door on the ground floor to ascertain whether or not you accidentally left any of them open or if any of them are loose. If you have a spare key, now’s the time to use it. If not, it’s time to call a locksmith. Don’t consider breaking a window or jimmying a door lock—having to fix these impulsive mistakes later on will cost more than a simple locksmith service call.  

Business & Commercial Lockouts   

The Situation: Whether it’s caused by an employee forgetting their keys or a key breaking off in a lock, a business lockout could be costing you potential revenue. That’s why it’s important to resolve the situation as fast as possible, before you have to start turning a line of customers away.   

What to Do: If you or your employee finds themselves locked out of your business, put in a call to a professional locksmith company right away. No matter the security system you have protecting your business, whether it’s a traditional lock and key hardware system or a sophisticated keyless entry system, a locksmith will be able to assist you fast.   

Causes of Lockouts  

While you might temporarily feel like you’re alone when facing an emergency lockout situation, you’re in good company. Lockouts are a very frequent call that professional locksmiths receive. There are several potential causes of lockouts. By knowing these causes you can take steps to prevent them from occurring. These causes can include:

• Lost, Misplaced, or Stolen Keys: By far the most common reason for a lockout occurring is losing your keys. While you might be very careful in making sure you always have your keys, it only takes one mistake to lose or misplace them. Less frequent but potentially more worrisome is someone else stealing your keys.  
• Worn Out or Damaged Keys: With so much use on a weekly basis, keys can become worn down, bent, or broken over time. To open your door, it’s essential that the “teeth” on your key correctly fit the tumblers and pins inside of the lock mechanism. If your key has worn down or become damaged, it can damage the lock itself or make it impossible for the key to even fit in the lock.  
• Broken Keys: While it may seem impossible for something as sturdy as a key to break, it can and does happen. If a key becomes damaged around the head of the key, or if there was a manufacturing defect, the key can break. This can even happen while you’re trying to open the door, leaving half of the key in the lock. This usually necessitates a call to a professional locksmith, unless you’re able to use needle-nose pliers or tweezers to fish the pieces of the key out of the lock.  
• Stuck Keys: Along the same lines as the previous two reasons, if your key or lock are beginning to get worn out or the metal has warped over time from rough use, your key can get stuck in the lock. It’s not recommended that you try to roughly yank the key out, as this can cause more damage. 

 How a Professional Locksmith Can Help  

In most lockout situations, the most helpful move to make is to call a professional locksmith company, such as Locksmith Service Cedar Hill. A professional locksmith will know the best way to regain access to your property with the least damage and time possible. Whether your key is stuck in the lock, the lock is broken, or you’ve lost your keys, a professional locksmith has the most efficient, affordable, and effective solution for you. When you do need to utilize the services of a professional locksmith, make sure you do some homework, even if you’re facing an emergency lockout. Quickly research the top locksmith companies in your area and give them a call for more information and a quote. When you put your property in the hands of a locksmith, you want to make sure it’s the right one.   

By relying on a professional expert locksmith company to assist you in resolving a lockout, you’ll be back inside in no time.