Every key-holder has experienced it – that sinking feeling when you come up to a locked door and can’t find your keys. Whether you’re locked out of the house, the car, or both, your day just came to a grinding halt. You contemplate breaking a window – but you don’t want to do that, because replacing a window is a LOT more difficult than replacing a standard key. And you are not alone. In fact, the average person spends 2.5 days a year looking for lost items, including keys! I lost my keys!!! Here are a few things to try instead, based on what keys are lost:
Missing: House Keys
1 – Look for other ways in. Are there unlocked windows you can open and climb through it? Can you get into the garage, or through the back door? (These are more likely to be options if you have teenagers who regularly ‘forget’ to do what you ask them.)
2 – Try using your credit card. No, it’s not just a television stunt; it does work with some doors. Insert the card into the opening where the door latches and slide it up and down. This may separate the latch and allow you to open it. Note that this may damage your credit card, so be mindful of which one you use.
IMPORTANT: Please note that if either of these tips worked for you, then 1) you’re very fortunate, and 2) you have some serious security issues to address.
Your best option, which also results in the least damage, is to call a locksmith. Locksmiths are typically affordable and know precisely what to do to get you into your house with the least amount of force, using the right tools.
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Missing: Car Keys
Unless you have locked something important in your car (think pets, small children, elderly relatives, etc.), don’t break the window. Call a locksmith, who can get your car door open. This is especially helpful if you have locked your keys in the car. Once the door opens, grab your keys and make a mental note to get a spare key ASAP.
If your keys are not in your car, a locksmith is still helpful; they can help you identify what kind of key you had in order to find the right replacement. (Hint: a “car remote” is not a type of key.) If you have an older car, the locksmith can make a replacement key easily. If your vehicle is a newer one, it likely has a special key; the locksmith may be able to assist with identifying what kind you need, but you will probably need to go to the dealership for a replacement. Replacing your key will be an expensive and inconvenient process, especially if you don’t have another key to provide as the model.
On that same note, regardless of who makes the new key, ask them to make a spare. You’ve gone through this ordeal once; we’re certain you’re not anxious to do it again.
Have more questions that we did not answer? Need help getting into the place you lost your key for? Contact us anytime!
Roee N., thank you for this post. Its very inspiring.
You really help those who have lost their car keys and never know what to do. You give them a brief solution.
When i lost my car key, i hired locksmith near to open my car lock. They made a duplicate key for me and their cost’s very fair
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