It’s freezing outside. You find your way walking back out to the parking lot to find your car and realize that you locked your keys inside. What do you?

Unless you have a spare set of keys that a friend or family member can run to you immediately, you are going to need a professional locksmith to get you back in the house. After you get through this hectic situation, what are some things that you can be doing to make sure that you don’t get locked out of your car again?

Whether in the winter or the summer, here are a few tips that you can use to avoid getting locked out of your car.

1) Always Lock Your Car from The Outside

This first of advice seems like it should go without saying, but it is so important that it bears repeating. One of the simplest, easiest, and sometimes least thought of ways that you can make sure that you can prevent getting locked out of your car is by making sure that you always lock your car from the outside.

It can be so easy to hit your lock button on the inside of your car or press your lock from the inside but don’t do it. Change that habit so that you only lock your car from the outside, and it will be almost impossible to forget your keys in your car.

2) Use a Lanyard, Clip, or Carabiner

Another way to make sure that you never leave your keys anywhere is to make sure that they never leave you. How do you do that? An inexpensive clip or a carabiner goes a long way. Keep your keys on a clip or carabiner that you can easily attach to your bag or even the belt loop on your pants. Extendable cords are great so that you don’t even have to take the clip or carabiner off you to put the keys in the ignition. Lanyards are another great way to keep your keys on you so that you don’t lose them.

3) Make sure that You Have a Backup

Having a copy of your key is essential for preventing lockouts. If you don’t have one, we strongly recommend that you make one. Making a copy of your key is one of the best ways to make sure that you don’t get locked in your car again. If you need help with getting a backup key or key copy made for your vehicle, contact our lock experts to find out how you can.

4) Give your Backup to a Friend or Family Member

Having a backup car key or fob is incredibly, but it is going to do you no good if the backup is locked inside of your car. Who is someone that you can give your key to in case you lock yourself out?

Think of a friend or family member in town or close to your work or home. Ask them if they mind holding onto your backup key for you and if they would be willing to run that key to you if you would get locked out of your car.

5) Always Use Your Fob to Lock Your Car

Another simple and effective way to make sure that you don’t get locked out of your car is to always use your key fob. Car fobs are not only great for being able to lock, unlock, or even start your car from a distance but are also great for making sure that you don’t lock yourself out. Try to make a habit of getting out of your car and use the fob to lock your car instead of your key or interior locking mechanisms.

If you don’t have one, talk to our experts about how you can get a new fob programmed to your vehicle.

6) Replace Your Fob Batteries

When was the last time that you had the batteries in your fob replaced? If you think that your key fob batteries might be wearing out, make sure that you replace your batteries immediately. If you need help replacing the battery in your fob, contact our lock experts today so that we can help.

7) Make a Backup Fob

How many fobs do you have for your vehicle? Having at least one backup fob is another helpful way to make sure that you don’t get locked out of your car. Just like with your backup keys, make sure that you store it in a safe place and with someone that could run your fob to you in the event that you do get locked out of your car.

8) Have a Good Locksmith

After you make sure that you have all of your key backups, fobs, and contingency tips for making sure that you don’t get locked out, it's still not a bad idea to have a good locksmith handy should the worst happen

Our locksmith experts can help with lockouts, replacing keys, getting key copies, and programming keys for your vehicle. Contact our team at 469 Locksmith today so that we can help you put the steps in place to make sure that you don’t get locked out of your car.