Lost Keys to Car No Spare? Here's What to Do
The loss of your car key could be a frightening experience. Luckily, there are several options to consider before calling locksmith or roadside assistance.
The first step is to trace your steps. This will help you locate your keys and give you an idea of where to begin before moving on to more drastic steps.
1. Retract Your Steps
It's easy to be stressed by losing your keys. They're easy to lose and you may not be aware of it until you need to start your vehicle or go to your home. It's a pain to get in your vehicle if you don't own a spare.
It is important to remain calm and retrace the steps you took. This can help you find your keys quickly and avoid needing to call a locksmith or head to the dealership for the new key. Your keys that are lost will generally be near you or close to something you've been carrying. It's a good idea comb through your pockets, purses and bags prior to you start returning to your steps.
Asking your family and friends if they've seen your keys is a good way to find them. They may be able to provide you with helpful information and guide you in the right direction. This is especially useful if you share a home with roommates or family members.
If you've rummaged through your wallets, purses and bags but can't locate your keys, it might be time to look inside your vehicle. Sometimes, the keys are inside the car, and you must find the right spot to see them. This is a straightforward step that can save you a lot of headaches.
Call a professional if your keys aren't in the vehicle. This will cost you some dollars, but it's worth it to avoid the anxiety of being locked out. You should have an extra key in order to avoid this issue in the future. You could also add a brightly colored keychain to make them easier to see. This will help you always know where your keys are and locate them quickly. This is a tiny but very worthwhile investment!
2. Empty Your Pockets
It's a stressful experience to lose your car keys. It happens more often than you think, and always at the worst possible time such as when you are late for work. In such a situation it is best to remain calm and follow these steps.
The first step is to retrace your steps. This will help you identify where and when the keys were lost. Then, thoroughly search your pockets and bags. Also, look through any jackets or coats that you may have worn. You can also ask the staff at any establishments or stores you went to if your keys were there.
It is easy to forget your keys in your clothes' pockets. This is especially true if your jacket or coat has a large pocket. It is also advisable to check any bags you carry. Bags, messenger bags, and backpacks could all be places to hide keys. Examine the inside of your car to determine whether you have keys.
It's a good idea to empty all the pockets in any bags that you carry and to completely empty your messenger or purse bag. This will allow you to see if any keys are stuck in the lining of your bag. It's also an excellent idea to make use of a flashlight to shine into the dark corners of your bag or purse.
Another suggestion is to walk around the house yelling "car keys!" as loudly as you can. It may sound silly but shouting out the name of the item you are looking for increases the chances of locating the item.
If you're unable to find your keys, call a locksmith. They'll assist you in obtaining the replacement key for your car, and may even install a new lock on your door, if necessary.
3. Check under you could try this out
When you're running a series of errands, from school drop off and pick up to grocery run, dinner with the kids, or an afternoon at the park - it's unusual for things to get lost. It can be a debit card, your most loved pair of sunglasses or even something more important like the car key. If you don't have an extra, it can be a huge hassle and a major issue.
Take a deep breath, and begin searching for your keys. It's always recommended to begin with the most obvious locations first. For instance did you put them down on your coffee table when you were walking out the door? Or perhaps you put them on the counter to grab something from the fridge, then closed the door and forgot about them.
If you've emptied all of your purses and pockets (and if the lock was not locked, have someone help you search inside the car as well) You've walked back through your day to find out where they may have gone missing, and exhausted every surface that you're likely to remember passing on your way out of the home, it may be time to check under the car. You never know whether the key fob fell into the crevice between the seat cushion and floor mat, or was accidentally thrown out of your bag as you were reaching in to take something out.
Of course the best method to avoid a situation like this in the future is to establish a routine of putting your keys in the same place after you return from work. It could take a month or so to make it a habit, but the longer you can maintain this routine and the more easy it will be to find your car keys the next time you need them. To ensure you're prepared in case of an emergency, it also is beneficial to have GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service on your policy, which will save you the cost of a tow truck, or replacing lost car keys.
4. Take a look back at your day
You can forget important things when you're so busy with your day-to-day activities. This can include running errands or having dinner with friends. Unfortunately, losing your car keys is just one of those events that can cause a disruption to all of your plans.
However, before you begin calling everyone you know to inquire them where your car keys are take a deep breath and take a step back and try not to get stressed. Once you have regained your composure, you should retrace the steps you did. When was the last moment you saw your car keys? This will help you figure out where your keys might have gone.
Next, empty any pockets or bags you may have used to store them. You should also look for places you would not typically think of, such as the pockets of your jacket or shoes or coat. Finally, check the place where you keep your car keys at home. They may have been placed on a desk or else when you entered the home.
Losing keys to your car is never enjoyable, but if follow these steps you will be able to locate them quickly and easily, without needing to call an emergency locksmith or your family to seek help. The best way to avoid this issue in the future is to creating a designated spot for your keys when you enter your home. After a few weeks, you'll be accustomed to it and not have to worry about losing your keys.