When you lock yourself out of your car, it can be a very awkward and stressful situation. If you have children involved, then it can quickly turn into an emergency if they are stuck inside the car during extreme weather conditions. In any case, it is important to remain calm and take a few steps to ensure that the situation is handled as safely and quickly as possible.
One of the most common experiences a person can have is locking themselves out of their car. When this happens, many people will panic and attempt to open the doors themselves or enlist passersby for help; however, in most cases, these efforts will prove unsuccessful.
If your lockout has become an emergency situation involving children, then you should call 9-1-1 or your local police station if 9-1-1 does not exist in your area. If the circumstances are less dire but still urgent, then you may want to consider calling AAA (American Automobile Association). As long as you are a member of AAA, they will send out one of their approved automotive locksmiths and reimburse you for the cost according to your policy once the work is complete.
If you are not an AAA member, then another option is to contact a 24-hour locksmith service if it is late at night or use online search tools such as Google Maps or Yelp to find local automotive locksmiths near you. It is recommended that everyone keep a reliable and reputable automotive locksmith’s number stored in their phone or written down on paper somewhere accessible for just such occasions. Before beginning work on your car door, make sure to ask for an estimate over the phone and re-confirm the price before work begins so there aren’t any surprises afterwards.