Nothing throws a wrench in a busy schedule like getting locked-out. Whether you have lost access to your home, your car, or even your work-space, the experience can sabotage your plans and throw your daily routine into chaos. When these situations occur, it is reassuring to know that a locksmith can come to your rescue, however, these professionals do offer some tips to help avoid these untimely issues altogether.

Consider the following to avoid potential lock-outs:

Your home

Getting locked out of the home can be a real problem, particularly if it occurs at night or during inclement weather. Some prudent strategies to help avoid this situation include leaving a key in a spot that is accessible, but that is safe from others that could be looking to break into your home.

Another option is to invest in a keypad-style lock for your home. This will make the need for a key moot, and could help avoid the inevitable lock-out, experienced by so many homeowners. Whatever you do, avoid damaging the door jamb or breaking a window to gain access to your home. Although frustration may take over in these situations, resorting to such drastic measures will have expensive circumstances later on.

Your vehicle

Some folks find that they constantly struggle with keeping track of their car keys. There are some clever tricks that may help keep these items more accessible when needed, and those that work in the industry, such as tow truck drivers, suggest that you attach your keys to a carbiner or lanyard and keep them close-by at all times. It may also help to attach something distinctive and noisy to your key-ring, so that you are more apt to find them or hear them if they get accidentally dropped.

Some other tips include investing in the cost of having duplicate keys made ahead of time, and leaving a set of car keys in an obvious place, such as in your office, at a neighbor’s or somewhere that will make it possible to retrieve them and get into your vehicle.

Other tips

It may help and ensure overall safety to think like a thief when it comes to your keys. Everyone knows about the convenience of keeping a magnetic box under the bumper of the car with an extra key. This is one of the places that a potential predator may look first to steal your vehicle. This also extends to leaving a key under the door-mat of your home. Avoid these spots, and consider only leaving keys in secure places as a back-up plan.

It helps to keep the phone number of a trusted locksmith in your wallet or purse just in case you find yourself on the wrong side of a locked door. Use care to implement strategies to avoid these scenarios, and remember that help is always a phone call away when needed!