Lost Your Keys? Stay Calm
It’s happened to all of us at some point: locked keys in the car or lost keys at the bar. No matter the case, the result is the same: you can’t get in your car when you need to. While losing your keys and being locked out of your car is stressful at any time of day, it’s especially worrisome when it happens at night. While you wait for a tow truck or locksmith, here are a few things to do to keep yourself safe and comfortable.
Find a Safe Place
Before you pull out your phone to research tow companies or 24-hour locksmiths, make sure you are in a safe area. Take note of the environment around you and evaluate whether you should stay there. Is it well-lit? Are there people out and about walking around? Are there other vehicles or businesses? If you don’t feel safe waiting by your car for the tow truck, try to find a well-lit business or parking lot to wait. If you’ve just come from a restaurant or bar, try to head back to it and ask if you can wait while you get back into your car. Most likely, the business still has people there cleaning up, and they won’t mind if you wait for a while. Essentially, if you don’t feel safe, go somewhere else.
Call a 24-Hour Tow Company
Once you’re in a safe area, call a tow company for assistance. While your mind may first go to a locksmith if you’re locked out of your vehicle, many tow companies, including B&D Towing, offer emergency roadside assistance for lockouts. Do not attempt to break into your vehicle on your own. You may damage your vehicle or injure yourself in the process. The trained technicians at B&D Towing can get you back on the road as soon as possible, and they are on call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Call a Loved One
While you wait for the tow truck or other aid, call a loved one so that they know where you are and when to expect you at your destination, whether that is home or a hotel for the night. Even better, perhaps a loved one could come to be with you while you wait for access to your vehicle.
Contact Law Enforcement
Ultimately, if you don’t feel safe and you can’t get in touch with a loved one or a tow company, you can always call the police and let them know your situation. Call the non-emergency dispatch number and alert them to the problem. They may be able to help you get back into your vehicle or direct you toward a trusted tow service provider. Even if the police can’t help you with your car, they will probably be able to help you in another way.
Leave Your Car Overnight
If your vehicle is legally parked, the best choice may be to leave it overnight so that you can get somewhere you feel safe. Take public transportation to your destination, call a friend for a ride, or call a Lyft or taxi to take you home. It may be easier to deal with your car in the light of the day.
What To Do After Getting Back Into Your Car
Once you’ve safely gained access to your vehicle, there are a few things you should keep in mind to avoid the situation in the future.
Get a Spare Car Key
If you don’t have a spare key to your vehicle, you need to have one made in case this happens again. You know yourself better than anyone, but some people give spare keys to trusted friends or family members in case of a lockout. Perhaps you have a safe hiding spot at home, or you know you won’t lose an extra key if it’s in your wallet. Whatever works, get that spare key made!
Let a Friend Know Where You’re Going
Whenever you go out on your own, make sure you let someone know where you’re going and when to expect you back. That way, if something happens like you losing your keys, someone will know where to look for you. If they know where you are, you’ll receive help much quicker.
Change the Locks
If you lose your keys completely, it may be a good idea to have your locks changed. While it’s unlikely that someone will find your keys and then use them to access your car or home at a later date, it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
How Can B&D Towing Help You?
Our towing professionals are polite and happy to explain everything from our transparent pricing to our towing process. We pride ourselves on being a towing company that goes above and beyond in customer care. Each of our towing professionals is selected for his or her expertise and ability to deliver excellent customer service. If you find yourself locked out of your vehicle or otherwise stranded, give us a call! We are available, 24/7/365!