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.

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.

If this happens to you, don’t panic! Make sure you’re mentally prepared and everything will be fine. Here are some steps to take if you find yourself unexpectedly stuck outside of your house.

Steps to Take After Locking Yourself Outside

First off, determine whether you (or a neighbor) needs to call 911. If a child is alone in the home, a burner is going on the stove or there’s some other emergency scenario, it’s important to get the local authorities involved as quickly as possible. If the situation isn’t potentially life threatening, however, you can take some not-so-drastic steps:

1. Look for other entry points: Is there an open window or unlocked back door? This might not be a wise security decision if you’re away from home, but if there’s an accessible entry point, try that first.
2. Try some safe DIY entry methods: It’s possible that you can use a credit card to gain entry back into your home (if you don’t have a deadbolt, at least). Whatever you do, don’t try and break a window, as that can lead to an injury and repair costs.
3. Call a friend or family member: Does anyone you know and trust have a key to your home? It’s easy to forget simple things like this when you’re flustered. Give them a call or find someone who has a phone so they can help you out.
4. Call a professional locksmith: If the above steps fail or if you just want a streamlined solution, it’s time to call a professional locksmith. This might be the first step you try, anyway. While it carries an expense, it’s the safest, most reliable and often quickest solution.

Tips for Preventing Locking Yourself Out of Your House

Of course, if you can avoid this from happening in the first place, that’d be ideal. Here are some things you can do to prevent locking yourself out of your house:

• Spare key: Whether it’s in a fake rock, hidden somewhere only you know or with a neighbor, having a spare key is perfect for instances like this. A professional locksmith can duplicate your keys so you have as many spares as you need.
• New locks: You might also consider upgrading your locks to include keypad or digital options. That way, you only need a combination or your phone to open them.
• Key finder: If you find yourself misplacing your keys often, it might be a wise idea to invest in a key-finding device. These can be fairly inexpensive and you can track where your key is at all times via an app on your phone.

If you’re interested in more security tips for your home, give the A-1 Locksmith team a call today at (972) 284-7500 for a consultation.

One of those products may very well be an auto lockout kit. Big-box retailers and online stores sell them, but are they a smart purchase? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of an auto lockout kit vs. the pros and cons of hiring a professional McKinney auto lockout company.

McKinney Auto Lockout Kit Pros and Cons

Residents of McKinney are often go-getters who like to do things themselves, so it makes sense why an auto lockout kit might be appealing. Advantages of auto lockout kits include the fact they’re cheaper than calling a McKinney auto lockout professional, they have several different types of tools and they can be conveniently purchased online.

They do have their drawbacks, however. They may damage your vehicle if you use them incorrectly, which may make you reconsider whether the investment was worth it. You’re not a licensed locksmith, so it’s easy to be confused about how to use these tools properly. Items in the kit also aren’t as high-quality as the tools and equipment a professional locksmith uses. All of this leading to the fact that you may purchase your lockout kit, invest the time and still end up needing to seek assistance from a McKinney locksmith.

McKinney Auto Lockout Professional Pros and Cons

While you can lose auto lockout kits (or have them locked in the car with your keys), a McKinney auto lockout professional is always just a call away. In fact, a professional locksmith—especially one that handles hundreds of auto lockouts in McKinney each week—might even be able to respond and solve your problem faster than if you attempted it yourself with a kit. They do have professional locksmith tools and equipment, after all.

Auto lockout professional services will always cost more than a kit you can purchase online, but you’re making up for it with expertise, efficiency and the peace of mind that comes with an expert taking care of your vehicle. At A-1 Locksmith, every locksmith on our team is licensed by the state of Texas, bonded and insured and monitored by GPS. So you can trust that when you have an auto lockout in McKinney, you’ll be taken care of promptly.

If you’re in need of a McKinney auto lockout specialist, give the A-1 Locksmith team a call today at (972) 284-7500.

Whether your car broke down on the side of the road, you’re at the beach because of high temperatures or you simply travel with children frequently, certain scenarios increase the likelihood of locking your keys in your car. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

At the Beach

Wait, the beach? What does water and sand have to do with keys? Well, it has more to do with high temperatures and the fact people are trying to cool off at the beach, pool or another body of water. People don’t want to swim with their keys and risk losing them (or damaging them) and leaving them with their towels means someone else can steal them. So, many people leave them in the car, which is the perfect example of scenarios we’re highlighting. Instead, consider investing in a waterproof wallet or key holder.

With the Kids

Traveling with children brings all sorts of complications in itself (e.g. bathroom breaks, arguing, etc.). But it’s also a scenario when you might lock your keys in your car, especially if your child handles them at any point. Children don’t have as much life experience and might not know the risks of losing keys or locking them in the vehicle. Try to educate them about the importance of keeping keys safe and be sure you have tabs on your keys at all times.

During a Breakdown

Stress can cause us to do things we wouldn’t normally do. When your car breaks down, it’s definitely a stressful situation. Many people end up locking their keys in their car after their car strands them on the side of the road, meaning they might have to call an auto locksmith to get them out (as well as a tow truck to move the dead vehicle). Try to calm yourself during these situations and keep your keys with you as much as possible.

These are just a few scenarios when you might lock your keys in your car. If you ever find yourself in one of these situations, be sure you have the A-1 Locksmith number on hand. Give us a call at (972) 284-7500 if you have any questions or are interested in auto key services.

If this happens to you, you’re not alone. The AAA reports that millions of motorists still lock their keys in their car each year. But if it happens when you’re nowhere near a town, gas station or rest stop, it can cause a tremendous amount of panic… unless you’re prepared.

Let’s take a look at your options in situations like this and how a locksmith may be able to help.

Exploring Your Options

For starters, it’s important to determine whether the situation is an emergency. If there is a child, pet or other person locked in the car (or anyone outside of it is in danger), call 911. A call to the police shouldn’t be your first option if no one is in danger, but as a last resort, it can be helpful. Many police officers have the ability to unlock your car, or call a tow truck (which you’ll be paying for). Plus, a 911 call will go to the nearest dispatch center, which can give you peace of mind.

Your second option is to call a locksmith. Locksmith companies like A-1 Locksmith, for example, have a wide service area in Dallas-Fort Worth. So even if it seems like you’re in the middle of nowhere, a locksmith may still be able to reach you. Dallas-Fort Worth is quite large, you know.

Finally, a call to the dealership, a tow truck company or your insurance/roadside assistance company may be an option. This depends on your location, as well as the company’s guidelines.

What If There’s No Cell Service?

Of course, one of the biggest problems with being in the middle of nowhere is that there can be a lack of cell phone coverage. If you’re in an emergency situation and dial 911, however, you’ll be relieved to know that your cell phone will scan all networks (not just your own) and try to make a call. This will drain your battery and isn’t guaranteed to work, so try to get to the highest point possible before you make your call and turn off your phone until you get there, if necessary.

For situations where you can’t use your phone at all (e.g. the battery died), it’s important to keep an emergency kit on hand, preferably one with a safety whistle and/or flare. If you can attract someone’s attention, they may be able to help. Try not to leave your vehicle (assuming it’s in a safe location), unless you know you are in walkable distance of a location with a phone/person.

How a Locksmith Can Help

If the situation isn’t an emergency, a locksmith may be the best option. The best locksmiths are equipped with GPS-monitored vans, so you’ll know where exactly they are in proximity to your location by simply giving the company a call. These locksmiths also use GPS technology themselves so they can find you quickly, even if you’re outside of a town or city limit.

A locksmith, from a reputable company like A-1 Locksmith, will arrive promptly in a marked vehicle, wearing a marked uniform, and with the appropriate locksmithing tools. A-1 Locksmith has more than 30 technicians in the field each day and can potentially have someone to your location fast. At the very least, someone from our team can give you advice about the next steps you should take.

If you’ve been locked out of your car in the middle of nowhere, you don’t need to panic. Assuming no one is in danger, give A-1 Locksmith a call today at 972-284-7500 and we’ll help you out.

Great. Now what?

This is a common problem. After all, four million Americans lock their keys in their car annually. But with summer coming up, chances are higher that you might get locked out of your car while on vacation in an unfamiliar area. If that happens, here are your options:

1. Get the spare key, if you have one.

If you have an extra key on hand now is the time to get it. Don’t have one? A local locksmith can cut and/or program extra keys so you don’t have to worry about this problem in the future. Better safe than sorry!

2. Evaluate your surroundings.

If you don’t have a spare key, your first step is to get familiar with your surroundings. If you need to call the police or your insurance company, you’ll need to give them as much relevant information as you can. So take note of nearby roads, landmarks and where your vehicle is located. If there’s a gas station nearby, they may sell tools needed to unlock your vehicle.

3. Determine whether you need to call 911 or not.

If you’re in a threatening situation, such as an abandoned road or sketchy part of town, you may need to call the police. This is especially true if a child or pet is locked in the vehicle. If it’s a hot day, you may even want to consider breaking the side window of your vehicle to get them out. It’s partially a judgment call, but the 911 dispatch officer should be able to give you further instruction.

4. Call your insurance agency or warranty company.

If it’s not an emergency situation, you may have roadside assistance services with your insurance agency or the company that manages your vehicle’s warranty. Just keep in mind that this option will likely require a waiting period and your vehicle might just end up having to be taken away by a tow truck.

5. Call a local locksmith.

Your best option might be to call a local locksmith. The right one will send an experienced, licensed team member to your location and provide emergency lockout services. Furthermore, the best locksmith companies can even work with your insurance company so that you don’t have to pay for the locksmith’s services. Either way, a locksmith is trained to deal with these situations.

If you’ve been locked out of a car in Dallas-Fort Worth, be sure to give A-1 Locksmith a call at 972-284-7500  and we’ll help you out right away.