I Lost My Car Key – What To Do

If you are anything like me, there has been a time or two in your life that you have to ask yourself the question: “where in the world are my keys?” If you are me, you ask yourself that question at least three times a week! Keys are one of the most common things that people misplace. Not only are keys a pretty small item, but we have them in our hands, pockets, or purses all day long. It is very easy to toss them absentmindedly aside without noticing where you put them. Usually, they have fallen in between couch cushions or are cleverly hiding under a table or the mail on your counter top. Sometimes, however, we are not so lucky. If our keys are stolen, lost at the valet, or disappear from our possession when we are away from home, we can’t help but wonder – who now has access to the post office box, house, and car? It is a terrifying feeling. Thankfully, there are some things you can do if you lose your keys that help prevent giving full access to your home, car, etc. to a complete stranger. Big thank you to the guys at LACarKeyPros.com for the useful information.

What To Do When You Lose Your Keys

retrace-stepsRetrace your last steps. Although his may seem like a no-brainer, it is crucial to calm down and think about all of the things you did since you last had your keys. It is easy to get very upset and start running around in a panic when you can’t find your keys. Stopping and slowing down for a moment to think about every step you took from the time you last remember the keys in your possession may lead to your “ah ha!” moment. Search the bed covers (this is where mine like to hide), the couch, under tables and furniture, on all countertops, or anywhere that they could easily be tossed when you come in the door. If you are not home, check under the car and the surrounding area.

Write down every place you visited since you last remember having your keys. Make a list of every business or establishment visited since the first time you can solidly remember having the keys in your possession. Hop on the internet or get a phonebook a write down the corresponding business phone numbers, then get to work. Call every place you visited and give a good description of your keys to see if anyone may have them. Leave your phone number so that they may contact you but NOT your address. You never know what type of person could have your keys. Also, don’t forget to call the businesses that you may have walked by or parked next to in case your keys fell on the ground in that area. Many times, people will turn in keys to a place near where they are found.

If the set of keys you lost has your car key on it and you do not have a spare key, contact the locksmith immediately. You are not the first person to have lost your only set of car keys. Make an appointment with car key specialist to create a new set of car keys and plan to spend at least $100. It is a pain in the “you know what” but sometimes you have to do what you have to do! Then…

Call a tow company. This is the best option. Tow companies can sometimes be a little expensive, but this is the safest, most professional way to get your car to where it needs to go. Shop around for an estimate by calling multiple tow companies in the area. Prices can sometimes be negotiated.

lost-car-keysIf it is your house keys that are missing, and you have looked everywhere and contacted all businesses visited since the loss, call a locksmith immediately. Have the locks changed throughout your house and communicate with the post office if you have a post office box. One option is to add a deadbolt to every door. If you have a big family and would rather not change everyone’s key ring, this could be an option. For me, I think I would go through the trouble to have them all replaced with peace of mind. You never know who has your keys or if they will attempt to find the matching lock! Your safety is number one.

Notify your neighbors. Let your immediate neighbors know that you lost your keys and are having the locks replaced. They will know to contact you if they see anyone that looks suspicious or is snooping around the house.

A Couple of Tips to Avoid Losing Keys in the Future

Purchase a hook to install near your front or side door – whichever one you enter more often. Hang your keys in the same place every day. If you put your keys in the same place every day, you will lose them much less often. Take it from me – I hung a nice little hook by my door and I haven’t lost them since.

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